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CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON 
OUTLINES FOR SPECIAL 
DAYS AND OCCASIONS 


A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF SUGGESTIVE 
MATERIAL FOR THE OUTSTANDING DAYS AND 
SEASONS OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH YEAR, ALSO 

FOR FRATERNITIES, ETC. 





ig 
OCT 21 193) 
NY 


COMPILED AND_/EDITED BY 


REV. G. B. F. HALLOCK, D.D 


EDITOR oF The Expositor 


OLOGICAL SEM 


NEW oy YORK 


GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY 


Copyright, 1926, 
By George H. Doran Company 


Cyclopedia of Sermon Outlines for Special 
Days and Occasions 


Printed in the United States of America 


FOREWORD 


The lot and life of the writer and compiler of this set 
of books have been cast amid busiest and most pressing pas- 
toral demands. Forty years of need and of experience lie 
enshrined within their covers. Would that some one had pre- 
sented me with such volumes when I was a young minister, 
or at any time along the way! I needed them; would have 
prized them; would have used them—as a source of inspira- 
tion, of pastoral methods, and as ready reference manuals for 
innumerable occasions. 


This is the third of three works written to fill this long- 
felt want. The books are purely pastoral, intended for min- 
isters only. They are unique, supplying a demand no one has 
‘ yet attempted to meet. ‘hey are comprehensive, aiming to 
be cyclopedic in contents. One would need go to the table of 
contents of each volume to find the full inclusion. Without 
going into minutiz, but referring only in barest outline, in the 
Cyclopedia of Pastoral Methods are aids to the worthy con- 
duct of public devotions, including all special days and occa- 
sions, with salutations, invocations, pastoral prayers, offertory 
sentences and prayers, intercessions for special persons and 
objects; here too are numerous ceremonies for weddings, funer- 
als, communion services, baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, 
for the adoption of children, and for the sending out of mis- 
sionaries; also services for the installation of Elders, Deacons, 
Deaconesses and of Bible School officers and teachers. In addi- 
tion, and possibly even more valuable because harder to find, 
are many choice and fitting forms for corner-stone layings, dedi- 
cation of churches, re-openings, setting apart of parish houses, 
educational buildings, hospitals, private homes, manses, towers 
and church spires, organs, windows, bells, chimes, choir stalls, 
paintings, pulpits, fonts, communion tables and communion 
sets, pulpit lamps and Bibles, church decorations, flags, monu- 
ments, memorial tablets, an illuminated cross, hymn books, for 


mortgage burnings, etc. 
V 


vi FOREWORD 


The second volume, Cyclopedia of Commencement Sermons 
and Baccalaureate Addresses, solves the problem of preparing 
for the occasional yet important call in the service of educa- 
tional institutions. Not alone ministers, but college presi- 
dents, principals of schools, teachers, school officials, parents 
and citizens are called upon for timely Commencement and 
Baccalaureate addresses. It is sure they cannot but welcome 
aid for this duty and privilege, and in this volume, definitely 
intended to be a ministrant in behalf of all who are expected 
to prepare for such occasions, will be found a vast collection 
of suggestive material from the very best sources. 

This third volume is a Cyclopedia of Sermon Outlines and 
Sketches for Special Days and Occasions, being a compen- 
dious assortment of suggestive material for the outstanding 
days and seasons of the entire church year, also for fraterni- 
ties, etc.—a sermon suggestor and inspirer, offering welcome 
help amid pressing days and duties. One of its most val- 
uable features is a selection of more than fifteen hundred sug- 
gestive texts and themes especially appropriate to the various 
days and seasons and exceptional occasions. 

These books are intended for use by ministers of all bodies. 
They are non-denominational; or, to be more exact, inter- 
denominational. 

The aim has been to make these associated volumes prac- 
tically indispensable to every preacher, pastor and theological 
student. 

Ge By era. 
BRICK CHURCH, 
Rochester, N. Y. 


CONTENTS | 


Part I: Christmas Texts and Themes 19 
Part II: Christmas Sermon Outlines 22-41 


Under the Christmas Star. 
The Geometry of the Angels’ Song 
No Room in the Inn . 
Christmas, the Surprise of God 
Back to Work with Joy . 

The Rising Star 

The Unspeakable Gift 

The Meaning of the Incarnation 
The Calendar of God . 

The Christmas Gift of Life 


Legend of the Christmas Rose: . Talk to Children 


The Story That Never Grows Old . 
The First Christmas Service . 
What the Shepherds Saw in the Cradle 
A Christless World . 
Christ’s Advent 

The Dayspring from on High 
God’s Revelation in Christ 

All Men Shall be Blessed in Him 
The Kingdom of Christ . 

The Wonderful Christmas Gift 
The Christmas Saviour 

COM With LI SN ys fet 

Christ the World’s Sun . 

The Design of the Saviour's Advent 
Rejoicing in Christ’s Reign 

The Good Tidings of God 

The Day-Spring : 

The Story of the Star 

Why Jesus Came 


vii 


Vili CONTENTS 


Part III: New Year Texts and Themes 42 
Part IV: New Year Sermon Outlines 44-55 


PAGE 
The Christian a Sojourner. } : Lemay. v 
Over a New Road . ; : : i Bes 
New Year Accompaniments . BU ; “iy OAs 
The January Inventory . . y Sih hl 
Visiting the Great Yesterdays . Me 
A New Year Exhortation . Hoe hs: 
The Path Unknown . i : PRESS cea Bs" 
The Guide aan the Gate . ; ; : Aer Ke 
Go Forward! . ' ; : HERES) 
The Open Door ; ; : ; ea EO 
Under Seiad Orders : y Bees GUE 
Lest We Forget. A hal Gee 
The New: Pathy: : Lees 
The New Date . : : : Mikel cf 
A Happy New Year Problem . : é eM Mgyl~ 
Shifting Scenery ; 5 Marat ans 

Part V: Evangelistic Texts and Themes 56 
Part VI: Evangelistic Sermon Outlines 59-72 

Making Excuse f . HN Mg Se) 
A New Creation. 5 ; Tae BO 
Steps to Christ . : ‘ ; : , 60 
What Time Is It? . i ee Ot 
““Remember Jesus Christ’’ : f f i ; 61 
Care for Souls . : : ne OI 
Church Prosperity . . : : ‘ rts, O2 
Giving the Heart . : é : ’ Zé 62 
The Great Question . de ; pa 
The Seeking Shepherd. , ; : gern Od. 
Acquaintance With God . } ‘ mie OF 
Excuses. ; ; ‘ Ry Ssh, 98 
Price of Redemption ; is ae 5 Sais OO 
Christ Waiting . R a : ; ; sla SOF 
A Spirit-Filled Life . : i 4 ae Natl es 
A Blessed Whosoever. : : ; ; Ra Dare hots 
The Worth of the Soul . ‘ ; : py aed ate) 
Our Best Helper. ; ; : Sie 6G 
Continuing : ‘ : ae 9 


Three Conditions of Sul . . . . P70 


CONTENTS ix 


The Calls of Christ . ee ie aca ey {0 
Almost a Christian . ; none tele 
“We Bear the Name of Christians” aa Nis 
Chiristeat thewWoor, Or the eloar ty (tunity, abl acing We diy 


Part VII: Lincoln’s Birthday Texts and Themes 73 
Part VIII: Lincoln’s Birthday Sermon Outlines 75-78 


Lancoln 4), eee yatta” 6 eta I 
Patriotism . : ; mahal 
The American Great-Heart . . ani O 
He mMateatHess OLN ESINCOLN era THe. ie aia aa ssl a apy 6 


Part IX: Washington’s Birthday Texts and Themes 79 
Part X: Washington’s Birthday aoa Outlines 81-88 


The Living Washington . : ONS 8 
Wieashinoton asa Leader (i. eal tein be 
Washington Ever Our First Citizens ou pi ceaibete 
Washington a Man of Loftiest Purposes. ce 88 
The Ever-Growing Influence of Waeeee RAN Se 
The Character of Washington . j ates) 
A Study in Heroes . : Ae Ne 
Washington. ty oe 
Washington as a National Asset . | eo 


Part XI: Palm Sunday Texts and Themes 89 
Part XII: Palm Sunday Sermon Outlines 91-97 


Pe NectnesMibnOLeCcisths: Gan yt. a. MUMS Salim tie T 
he wrurmphal Patey jot Me all rai rh ae Oa 
The Lord Hath Need of You . 1 Oa aa eae ewe 2 
The Triumphal Entry. pe : Lo 3 
Popular Attractions. . ; ear Enos 
Songs or Silence _ . : : seta 
The Conquering King. 95 
Lessons for To-day from Christ’s T riumphal Entry 96 
Garment Givers 96 


Part XIII: Good Friday Texts and Themes 98 
Part XIV: Good Friday Sermon Outlines 100-108 


The Cross of Christ . : : ; Sun EOD 
MU Areners Dy athe. Cross a th ay bem eM K ON OLOT 


x CONTENTS 


PAGE 


The. Watchers Around the Cross. . : Be ROE TOT 
The Group Around the Cross . : Hy PLL 
Behold the Man! . © i3 2 as AS TOW 
Lessons from the Crucifixion : : j et Oz 
The Seven Words: from ‘the Cross 73, eure tO 
The Three Crosses at Calvary : : : lOO 
The Scene of Our Saviour’s Execution . : Bre OG 


Part XV: Easter Texts and Themes tog 
Part XVI: Easter Sermon Outlines 112-125 


The First Easter Sermon . a) 8 be 
Endless Power for Endless Living ; : TALS 
The Risen Christ. feta 
The Empty Grave . gens 
Mary’s Joy in Her Risen Lord. : a BiB 
The Resurrection a Fact . Eg RUG: 
nd Peter sista, ih Aas rey Ny 
The Lesson of Easter. Pa asc ee ask G fy, 
The First Gospel Sermon . eel Le 
Easter Talk to Children . eae ‘gaara 
The Power of His Resurrection . Sa es 
Rolling Away the Stone . ; Seta be-al* 
Easter Gladness in Seeing the Lord . I21 
The Spiritual Parable of Christ’s Crucifixion, I Resur- 
rection, Ascension and Return . Sepak 
The Power of Christ’s Resurrection ; f Ses Be 
The Risen Christ  . ee mel 2 


Part XVII: Lord’s Supper Texts and Themes 126 
Part XV IIL: Lord’s Supper Sermon Outlines 130-142 


Stirring to Remembrance . ; SY oe ee SOGO 
Christ Expected at the Feast . é SelaG 
The Duty and Obligation to Keep the Feast : MELT AT 
Communion . me At Mey i 
Empty Places at the Lord’s Table . Soke Pe EAD 
Invited Nearer: A Communion Meditation . al Qe 
Preparatory Service . : ; cane an alee 


Love Made the Supper ; ; ; 
The Value of Spiritual Diamine selrw : mpg ie oo 
Communion Continued . n ; url 
‘The: Lord’s Supper...’ : : : TBO 
The Friendship of Jesus . ; : ; g beet eB 


CONTENTS 
The Scene of Calvary 


Our Mothers: An Appreciation 


Xi 
PAG 


137 
Lessons from the Names of the Ordinance 138 
Lessons from the Nature of the Ordinance 138 
Lessons from the Design of the Ordinance 138 
Meditation : ; 139 
“Come and Dine’”’ 139 
Communion Address 140 
Self-Examination I4I 
Communion a Meditation 142 
Part XIX: Arbor Day Texts and Themes 143 
Part XX: Arbor Day Sermon Outlines 145-153 
Men and Trees: Arbor Day Talk. . 145 
Gideon Under the Oak, Or a Hero Commissioned 146 
Perpetual Arbor Day . 146 
The Seed We Are Sowing 146 
Trees of the Lord»: 148 
A Sermon for Boys and Girls . 150 
A Message from Springtime I§t 
A Springtime Lesson 153 
Part XXI: Ascension Day Texts and Themes 154 
Part XXII: Ascension Day Sermon Outlines 155-161 
Lessons from the Ascension ES 5 
Heaven’s Ascension Day Message . 155 
An Ascended Yet Ever-Present Lord 156 
Captivity Led Captive : 156 
Carried Up into Heaven . 157 
Christ’s Ascension 158 
The Ascended Lord . 160 
The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ . 160 
Part XXIII: Mother’s Day Texts and Themes 162 
Part XXIV: Mother's Day Sermon Outlines 165-171 
The High Mission of the Mother . 165 
Mother. ; 165 
Our Debt to Motherhood. 166 
The Encircling Love and Loyalty of Mother . 169 
The Mother Love 170 


171 


all CONTENTS 

PAGH 
Part XXV: Memorial Day Texts and Thémes 172 
Part XXVI: Memorial Day Sermon Outlines 175-189 


The Memorial of Liberty . DU te 
Gestures of Progress, Personal and National . Sees te 
Forget-Me-Nots Gathered from God’s Acre . ey T7O 
Flowers for Memorial Day . Noe L76 
The Oriflamme of God. nese Mites i fy, 
Spicery for Our Dead else ‘i wa Ug hs 
War Deprecated. Be le ae eG 
The Reign of the Dove . ; sy eto 
Bringing Back the King . : SLO 
The Veteran .as:an: Oracle i 7): fe cTSO 
Our Memorial Day . pets beg 
The Day of Memory ; Ws 3p: te 
The Incomparable Day . CaN A AE Ato 
New Issues Call for New Courage Re ose aL Oe 
Lessons of Memorial Day . Hehe Oa 
Sharing the Hero Spirit . ’ BO 
The Supreme Gift of Patriotism. ! PhineB6 
The Inspiration of Heroic Memories. Nope Rsty, 
A New Memorial Day . TOS 


Part XXVITI: Children’s Day Texts and Themes 190 
Part XXVIII: Children’s Day Sermon Outlines 


194-212 
The Eyes of Your Heart . LG Hin Oe NC uae NT HS 
Things to Watch. : : Pieme Mie 
A Bright Pin? we 8 
The Blessedness of Childlikeness ; iy Ley 
Whe: Ministry, of wChildren/)) visa) oe ee OS 
Manners . : De 2OO 
The Message of the Flowers . ; 54202 
Six Minds . ‘ : , : Ee 29) 
The Swans’ Dinner Bell . ; say POLS 
Children’s Day Talk Pe 2OL 
Rhoda, A Girl Christian . aA 2Oe 
A Children’s Sermon with White Mice as a Text . 206 
Watch Your steps... De T207 
Making Faces . i: AOS 
Candle Sermon for Children’s Day . : dA asaaenee OC 
The Pony Engine. J, (t Met” 2EO 


Lessons from the Dandelion : ’ ; ates Bey 


CONTENTS xiii 


’ PAGH 


Part XXIX: Commencement Texts and Themes 213 
Part XXX: Commencement Sermon Outlines 214-222 


Passing Dividends . ay Beale pw 
Democracy and Education . ee 
True Education : : ig oo 56 
“Pressing Toward the Mark” . a AUTON oo 
Address to the oe cali Class. Ps ty, 
For Sucha Time . Ge ies 
Abe Garden on lite. VEN WAL arn Eagan ne sia aC) 
The Teacher and His Pupil . (es Reagis a oe 
To Young Women Graduates . Oe on 


Part XX XI: Independence Day Texts and Themes 223 
Part XX XIT: Independence Day Sermon Outlines 


226-236 
ibhe«Natron s Greatest Need i.) Pane aii at 96 
The Blessing of Liberty . SURO ne 27 
The Bible and Ghetian Citizenship Bg Ro pee 
Righteousness Exalteth a Nation . ; i228 
The Land We Love {15229 
Reve P OR ADEE Vi ibe tlc hi) ben as aE nn 2a 
Foes of Our Country Oh ON 
Influence of the Declaration . Mb se 
The Duties of an American Citizen Ee 
What the Liberty Bell Said: Talk to Children. Axe 


Part XXXII: Texts and Themes Concerning 
Vacation 237 

Part XXXIV: Sermon Outlinés Concerning V aca- 
tions 239-245 


Vacation Rest . : ; Ae A Ce 2aG 
Come Ye Apart ; 1240 
Perils of the Summer a. 
The Value of an Eddy in the Stream of Life . 243 


Part XXXV: Texts and Themes on the Sabbath 246 
Part XXXVI; Outlines of Sermons on the Sabbath 


248-255 
Sunday Rest in the Twentieth Se Bb aS 
Sabbath Benefits te 8 


Our Need of the Lord’s Day sti Wey Rn MOR wea, Mle iad oh 7-2 


xiv CONTENTS 


PAGH 


eanctity the Sabbath: Howth Vere ae 
The Sabbath a Necessity . a, ; ‘ NOE Ra 
the sabbath a: Delight, wore sat tena: ce km) bones 
Made for Man . : ; any aay feweeye oir 2 GE 
The Need for the Sabbath (lal) aun 4 eae, 251 
The Sabbath a Reminder . saa SAO ME. 
Civil Stewardship. : Jc Mente oF one 
How We Should Keep the Sabbath. . . 253 
Sabbath Keeping in Christ’s Way . vee 20s 
The Spirit of Sabbath- ee se : Peoay 
How to Enjoy Sunday . oe eA 


Part XX XVII: Labor Day Texts and Themes 256 
Part XX XVIII: Outlines of Labor Day Sermons 


259-264 
‘Phe: Meeting Place of Manhoady: 1.9 2 ya oro 
The Battle for Bread _.. at OG 
God’s Law of Labor ae pode 
Work as a Means of Grace . Myst d we 


Part XX XIX: Armistice Day Texts and Themes 265 
Part XL: Armistice Day Sermon Outlinés 267-268 
Armistice Day Instituted . : 267 


Part XLI: Prison Sunday Texts and Themes 269 
Part XLIT: Prison Sunday Sermon Outlines 270-272 


‘The: Sighingof-the Brisoner i je er eles a 
Our Duty Toward Prisoners . ; : 54 290 
Christianity and, the: Prisoner "6. pron eee oon 
A. Moral’ Barthquake iin jac i sevn oes ea ene 7m 
A Saint in Prison. 272 
Part XLIII: Good Citizenship Day’ Texts and 
Themes 273 
Part XLIV : Good Citizenship Day Sermon Outlines | 
275-281 
Putting Religion Into Politics. . .  . ee 
The Christian and His Ballot... igi ay [0 
Christian Citizenship ' Bis op hy as ay yh 
Christian Democracy _ . a TS 
Christian Principles in Politics . Pa ee Ue 


The Best Government . ; i ‘ } : 2808 


CONTENTS XV 


Part XLV: Election Day Texts and Themes 282 
Part XLVI: Election Day Sermon Outline 283-284 
The Divine Election. Weak Bi PR 


Part XLV IT: Thanksgiving Day Texts and Themes 285 
Part XLVI: Thanksgiving Day Sermon Outlines 


288-299 
Gratitude for God’s Remembrance. __.. ) sit 3S 
Thanksgiving Day . ae 288 
Thanksgiving . : , Mey spoke: 
Special Reasons for Thanksgiving J a O 
Joyful Thanksgiving. : re eeO 
Volcanic Thanksgiving. ial hha SOA 
Feast of Ingathering ! i se Nap 
Real Thanksgiving . Rate autos ia dese te 
The Dower of a Nation . Narada NL VG ite Leo: 
he Goodness of God on i an ae FQN) offs 
Excellent Loving-kindness Si OE aaa edi aN 
Praise God : ra 200 
Olden Time Appreciation . : : ion 
DWV CrtVer LANES PY aN otis bhi gkty otal auras 5 297 


Part X LIX: Outlines of Sermons on Special Occa- 
sions and to Fraternities 300-325 


A Pastor's Installation Sermon . .. . e300 
The Christian’s Confidence. : tee fay. 
Freemasonry Triumphant : 304. 
The Three Links of the Independent Order of 

Odd Fellows... 307 
Royal Arcanum Fellowship IS ae a OO 
Fraternal Life Insurance . May ae Nae wee. 
Love and the Mysteries: Sermon for Fraternal 

Organizations cre seed eek 
Independent Order: of Foresters. 219 


The Supremacy of Love: Sermon to Odd Fellows. 320 


SP ie 


a ay 
: ie 





CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 
FOR SPECIAL DAYS AND OCCASIONS 





PART I: CHRISTMAS TEXTS AND 
THEMES 


The Disclosure of the Star: Matt. 2:10. 1. Christ the 
eternal. 2. Christ the creator. 3. Christ the light. 4. Christ 
the man. 5. Christ the Saviour. 

The Christmas Spirit: Isa. 9: 2-7. 1. The spirit of good- 
will. 2. The spirit of sacrifice. 3. The spirit of service. 

The Glory of Immanuel: ‘The Word was made flesh, and 
dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only 
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 14. 

The Song of the Angels: ‘‘And the angel said unto them, 
Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10. 

The Joy That Jesus Brings: ‘Behold, I bring you good tid- 
ings of great joy.” Luke 2: Io. 

Messiah’s Rightful Dominion: “And the government shall 
be upon his shoulder.” Isa. 2: ro. 

The Song in the Night: ‘“There were shepherds abiding in 
the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.”” Luke 
2:8. The first Christmas song was sung in the night. The 
glory broke over the world when the world was dark. That 
is a comforting fact this year. 

The First Peace Convention: ‘Glory to God in the highest 
and on earth peace.” Luke 2:14. It is still true that the 
ultimate aim of the principles promulgated at that first year 
peace convention between earth and heaven was peace to the 
whole world. 

The Song That Never Dies: Luke 2: 46-55. 

The Quest for the King: ‘“‘Where is he that is born king of 
the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come 
to worship him.” Matt. 2: 2. 

The Manger Cradle: “‘And this shall be a sign unto you.” 
Luke 2:12. 

~The Rising Star: ‘“There shall come a star out of Jacob, 
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel,” etc. Num. 24:17. 


20 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Christmas with Christ Left Out: “What think ye? Will 
he come up to the feast?” John 11: 56. 

The Day-Star in the Heart: 2 Pet. 1: 19. 

The Incarnation: ‘For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became 
poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9. 

The Bethlehem of the Heart: ‘Until Christ be formed in 
you.” Gal. 4:19. 

Lessons from the Shepherds: ‘The Shepherds said one to 
another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see.” Luke 
eo eer g 

sw The Gift That Transforms the World: 2 Cor. 9:15; Luke | 
1: 46-55. 

The Child Jesus: ‘Set for the fall and rising again of many 
in Israel.” Luke 2:34. 1. His destiny. 2. His development. 
3. His wisdom. 4. His coming rule. 

The Christmas Offering: ‘They offered unto him gifts.” 
Matt. 2:11. Christ has only one reason for desiring gifts 
from us, and that is in order that he may give gifts to us. 
He can give only to givers.. . 

The Greatest Quest: ‘“Where is he?” Matt. 2:2. Never 
be afraid to ask your way to Christ. Never think that you 
can find your way to Christ alone. You need all the help you 
can get on the quest of quests. | 

Inquirers for Christ: “He inquired.” Matt. 2:4. Herod. 
as well as the wise men is inquiring, it seems. Some inquire 
about truth to worship it; others, to murder it. 

The First Advent: “So Christ was once offered to bear the 
sins of many.” Heb. 9: 28. 

The Second Advent: “Unto them that look for him shall he 
appear the second time without sin unto salvation.’’ Heb. 
9:28. 

The Nearness of Christ: “The Lord is at hand.” Phil. 
4:5. 

A Prevision of the Christ: “Behold a virgin shall conceive 
and bear a son and thou shalt call his name Immanuel.” Isa. 
mis Tal | 

Pondering of the Christ: “But Mary kept all those things 
and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2: 109. 

Proclaiming the Christ: “And the angel said unto them, 


CHRISTMAS TEXTS AND THEMES 21 


Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy,” 
Store buker2 3/10. 21h i | 
) © Endowing the Christ: ‘“‘And when they had opened their 
treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold,” etc. Matt. 
1 } 
° An Apocalypse of the Christ: “Yor unto us a child is born 
_... and his name shall be called Wonderful,” etc. Isa. 6; 7. 
| Hailing the Christ: “And suddenly there was with the angel 
a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God,” etc. Luke 
W 22/53, 14. 
The Pedigree of the Christ: “Concerning his Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David accord- 
ing to the flesh,” etc. Rom. 1:3, 4. 





PART II: CHRISTMAS SERMON 
OUTLINES 


UNDER THE CHRISTMAS STAR 


‘“WWe have seen his star in the east, and are come to wor- 
ship him.”” Matt. 2: 2. 

I. Underneath the star of Bethlehem lay a visible token 
of the love of God. “And they called his name Jesus.” 

II. Power lay beneath the star. And where Christ is, 
there is power now for us all. 

III. Hope lies waiting for us beneath the star of Beth- 
lehem—a new hope of a better life. 

IV. Beneath the Bethlehem star lay faith, that first Christ: 
mas night. The men from afar saw only a child, yet they — 
knew the child for a King. ‘They had faith—in the years that 
would bring him‘to manhood. Have we as much faith in 
Christ, in ourselves, in other people? 

V. Beneath the star lay unselfishness—in the Wisemen; in 
Mary, the mother; in Jesus, the willingly earth-born Son of 
God; and in God, the Father of him. And every Christmas 
that is worth the name is marked by a spirit of unselfishness— 
even to-day. 

VI. Beneath the Bethlehem star there was found a com- 
bination of sorrow (there.was no room for them in the inn) 
and joy, but the sorrow was quite overwhelmed in the joy. 
Always it is so for those who find the Lord Jesus. 

VII. When we follow the star we find a starting point 
and a terminus; a beginning of all that is worth while for our- 
selves and the end of all our longing; the Beginning and the 
End; the Alpha and Omega.—Rev. Pau Faris. 


THE GEOMETRY OF THE ANGELS’ SONG 
‘And suddenly,” etc. Luke 2: 13, 14. 


1. The Gospel in miniature. 
22 





CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 23 


2. The angels, unconscious geometricians. 

I. Their vertical ascription of praise. “Glory to God in 
the highest.”’ Ours is a canopying gospel—of tip-top concern 
—and lifting in one direction, uplifting. 

II. Their horizontal target of desire. ‘On earth peace.” 
“Heavenly host’—army anticipating universal peace. Sym- 
bolizing peace in responsive song. 

III. Their centrical convergence in the soul of man. ‘To 
men of good-will.’ The gospel is centric. An intense Jesus— 
“Saviour, Christ, the Lord—seeks an intense work in man and 
by man. 

Conclusion: How far is the Christianity of this Christmas 
season thus geometrical ?—ReEyv. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


NO ROOM IN THE INN” 


‘‘There was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 7. 

There was no room for Jesus then. Is there now? 

I. Among the nations. In governments, in politics, in army 
and fleet. 

II. In society. Luxury, show, infidelity, sin. 

III. In business. Ideals of Christ in the market. 

IV. In church. Does church meet test, ‘Follow me’’? 

V. In homes. Place of Bible and religion in home. 

VI. In our sinful hearts: 


“Dear little stranger 
Slept in a manger, 
No downy pillow under his head, 
Only the darkness his cradle caresses, 
Only a manger, lowly, his bed, 
Blinded and selfish, the world in its sin. 
No room in the Inn! 
No room in the Inn!” 


CHRISTMAS, THE SURPRISE OF GOD 


“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,’ etc. 


Matt. 2:1. 


Goodness, which is essentially love, is full of glad sur- 


24 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


prises. We may gild the gold of Christmas with grudging re- 
membrances; we may even tarnish it with unworthy motives. 
Yet Christmas remains the token of God’s surprise for the 
human race, the surprise of his unsearchable goodness. : 

I. Think of how many surprised ones there were that first 
Christmastide. The mother and Joseph, the shepherds; and, 
after a while, the Magi from the East. ‘The crowded inn was 
also doubtless surprised when there passed from lip to lip the 
word that a child had been born in the lowly manger. Finally, 
Israel was surprised—and Rome and the ends of the earth; 
and the surprise is not over. The goodness of God broke 
through every barrier, overflowed every channel and became 
incarnate in the only Begotten Son. 

II. By common consent we insist that the children must 
have a Christmas surprise. For the rest of us, we are not so 
much concerned. We are missing the meaning of it all, how- 
ever, if we are not still overawed by the glad surprise of 
goodness that seeks us on Christmas day. 

III. How many ways there are of letting goodness have - 
its surprising way on this festival day! Little but loving 
fingers can weave a royal robe for those who have taught them 
how and whom to love. Every parent knows that the rarest 
Christmas gifts are those that come from the simple store of 
children’s love. 

IV. The surprise of love is not exhausted, however, by 
children’s gifts. Husbands may give their wives such assur- 
ances of unbroken trust and fidelity that diamonds will be- 
come lusterless in comparison. Wives may renew their vows 
of loving and chaste allegiance in such a variety of ways that 
the holiday will become a glorified honeymoon. | 

Friendships may be made to glow with a radiance that is not 
earthly as each friend brings to the other some hitherto un- 
revealed gift of strength or patience, confidence or courage. 
Masters and servants, in every modern relationship of our 
toiling life, may seal the prosperity of the enterprise in which 
Day engaged, by the gift of each to the other for the weal 
of all. 

The wayward boy may bring to a heart-broken mother his 
own broken heart and in the glad surprise of the gift both his 
heart and hers will be healed. 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 25 


The far away child of God may draw near ‘“‘with full assur- 
ance” and find pardon and peace so sweet and so satisfying 
that the sorrows of sin will be lost in the joy of the Saviour.— 
Rev. WILLIAM Hiram FouLKkeEs, D.D. 


BACK TO WORK WITH JOY 


‘And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God 
for all the things that they had heard and seen, and as it 
had been spoken unto them.”’ Luke 2: 20. 

The shepherds had just seen angels and heard their mar- 
velous music, and had seen the Christ. After that experience 
we read that they “returned.” Back to their sheep. With 
joy they returned to their common duty. 

The difference between Christian joy and the world’s pleas- 
ure is in this: the one fits for duty, while the other unfits. 
Three thoughts are suggested in this. 

I. Christ brings joy. The angels sang when Christ was 
born. Simeon and Anna returned thanks. Andrew shouted 
“Eureka.” A man may rejoice indeed when he finds the 
Saviour. 

II. Christ would turn joy into the performance of duty. 
The shepherds went back to work gladly. Christ brought the 
disciples down from the mountain to where the demoniac child 
was. Paul exhorts Christians to live contentedly where they 
are. Onesimus was sent back to his earthly master. Our joy 
in Christ is to fit us for the every-day duties. 

III. Christ would have gratitude expressed in work. The 
best way to praise God is by our lives. There is not much 
spirituality in the man who won’t work. The birds praise 
God by their songs, the flowers by their beauty, the stars by 
their shining and their motion in their spheres. We can best 
‘adorn the doctrine” and praise God by our lives. 


THE RISING STAR 


‘There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall 
rise out of Israel,” etc. Num. 24:17. 

Balaam caught the first faint beams of the Star-rise of the 
reign of Christ. 


26 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


I. The rising Star brings light. On the deepest mysteries 
—on immediate duties—on human destiny. 

II. The rising Star has a scepter-quality. The light is in- 
stinct with celestial authority. Is charged with a quickening 
and governing dynamic. 

III. The rising Star is born of the humanity lying back of 
it—of the chosen race—of our flesh and blood—of the needs 
that our human nature feels. 

Star-rise to Balaam is Sun-rise to us.—REv. S. B. DuNN, 
D.D. 


THE UNSPEAKABLE GIFT 
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 


ay 

I. It is the best of gifts. ‘The heart naturally yearns for 
love. ‘‘Greater love hath no man than this,” etc. ‘Herein 
is love, not that we loved God,” etc. ‘‘God so loved the 
world,”’ etc. | 

II. Because it includes other gifts. Have you Christ? If 
you trust and serve him you have the guarantee of all. 

III. Because it improves other gifts. The presence of one 
possession may add to the worth of all else. Example, sight. 
Thus it is with the gift Christ. All we have seems better for 
it. It improves everything. 

1. We value nature more. 
2. We value human nature more. 
3. We value the Bible more. 

IV. Because it makes us givers. When we receive it we 
become like it. 

V. Because it is a gift to all. ‘To all people.” 

1. A gift, not a loan. 
2. A gift, not a. purchase. 


‘Tis only God that is given away, 
"Tis only Heaven may be had for the asking!” 


3. How shall we express our ‘‘thanks”’ ? 
(a) By giving this gift to others. 
(b) By giving ourselves to the Giver. 
—Rev. THomas R. STEVENSON. 





CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 27. 


THE MEANING OF THE INCARNATION 


‘Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.” 
Miatth 23-1. 

I, When Jesus was born there was the realization of the 
supernatural. ‘The birth of Christ was no ordinary birth. 
It brings us face to face with the supernatural. It means the 
visitation of God. For Christ is God manifested in the flesh. 
The incarnation signifies not the coming of an absent God 
into the world, but the manifestation of an ever-present 
Father. Christ was not a revealer of God, he was the reve- 
lation of God, and he alone could say, “He that hath seen 
me hath seen the Father.” 

II. When Christ was born in Bethlehem there was also 
the working out of God’s eternal plan of salvation. The In- 
carnation of Christ is the first great earthly event in connec- 
tion with this divine purpose. The angels sang a heavenly 
truth when they said, “Unto you is born a Saviour.” Christ 
‘ did not come into the world merely as a teacher, a lawgiver, 
or a reformer, but primarily as a Saviour. Man’s redemption 
is wrapped up in Christ’s incarnation. Humanity must pin its 
hope of salvation to him and him alone. 

III. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there was also the 
culmination of an eternal process. As Christ was the Incar- 
nation of God, the advent makes possible the Incarnation of 
Christ in men. It is now possible for us to be made partakers 
of his divine nature. If that is so, then there must be a like- 
ness between our redeemed nature and his divine nature. 
When we are most like him we think less of self and more of 
others. As the world grows more and more Christlike, it 
grows less and less selfish. The nearer we come to him in the 
likeness of our lives, the more practicable become his teach- 
ings.—Rev. W. W. BustTarp. | 


THE CALENDAR OF GOD 


‘‘When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth 
his Son.”’ Gal. 4: 4. | 

Christmas is witness to the timekeeping of a calendar- 
making God. It echoes the mightiest clock stroke ever re- 


28 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


sounding from the chronometer of the universe. Each new 


celebration of the day is a reminder of the unfailingly timed 
program forever in the thought of the divine Governor of 
creation—a graphic refutal of all skeptic imaginations which 
picture his story as the sport of chance. 

For the word says it was “‘when the fulness of time came’ 
that “God sent forth his Son.” 

I. The need of the world was ancient when Christ ap- 
peared to answer it. In the judgment of men the redeeming 
Messiah was far overdue. Impatient faith had been crying 
for centuries: ‘‘How long, O Lord, how long?” But God 
waited. The ‘“‘times’’ he had appointed for Messianic prepara- 
tion were not complete. Imperative necessities of each pass- 
ing age he met with gracious supply of prophets and teachers 
calling the people to himself. He ever made plain the way of 
righteousness for those who desired to walk therein. But he 
would not hasten his working plan. 

Sending his Son into the world to inaugurate the era of 


the kingdom of heaven was an enterprise far too vast to risk 


its success by inadequate readiness or inopportune introduc- 
tion. : 
II. The hour of the first Christmas was no doubt the first 


hour when God had looked down on a world where the good — 


news of Jesus the Saviour could be proclaimed with surety of 
its being retold till all nations heard. As God’s great Mis- 
sionary to man, the Christ could not inaugurate his work 


among men until the stuff out of which missionaries are made ~ 
had been developed in the earth. There are many reasons for 


believing the age of his advent was the earliest age of history 
in which the missionary impulse could have been evoked from 
the human soul. 

III. To-day’s singularly dynamic democracy of the king- 
dom of God, this spontaneous stir of the mass of the church’s 
common people, this uplifting of the general spirit of religious 
folk, is a phenomenon that no previous age of Christianity has 
quite paralleled. What if for the moment it does not seem 
to be coming to any very definite head of tangible results? 
What if there are many uncertain gropings which betray doubt 
of where to turn or what to do? May not all these things 
prove none the less to be God’s preparation of times which 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 29 


_ shall ere long make possible vaster triumphs than the Master’s 

cause has yet seen? If so, may we not believe that the leader 
or leaders whom God appoints to be captains of that greater 
victory will not fail to appear when his clock, still running 
true, strikes again his chosen hour ?—C. 


THE CHRISTMAS GIFT OF LIFE 


“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten 
Son,” etc. John 3: 16. 

I. The motive was love. The gift, an expression of love, 
was the gift of a life. f 

That first Christmas gift was not a gift to a child; it | 
was the gift of a child. Love prompts gifts to those near 
and dear. Greater love, unbounded love, prompts gifts of 
self and gifts of those nearest and dearest in order that the 

world may be blessed. 
'. IJ. How has it happened, one wonders, that through all the 
years of its observance Christmas Day has not been counted 
as the one day of all the year for the giving of life in Chris- 
tian service? It is a day set to celebrate the manifestation 
of God’s wondrous gift to mankind. How better could that 
manifestation be celebrated than by the full consecration of 
life to the same ends for which the life of Jesus was given? 

Ill. The gift of life is the most costly gift that can be 
made. The man who gives millions does not give as much 
as the man who gives himself—fully, unreservedly, with one- 
ness of purpose—as a servant of mankind. The father and 
mother who gives stocks and bonds and silks and satins do 
not give a fraction of that given by the parents who give their 
sons and daughters for the world’s weal. All other gifts are 
but toys and tinsel as compared with the kind of gift which 
is celebrated on Christmas day—the gift of life. Yet why 
should it not be that, in Christian homes, Christmas should 
come to be the one day of all the year when the young of the 
family face the question: Shall I make to the world the great- 
est gift within my power, the gift of life? Why should it not 
be the day when parents consider most seriously the giving 
of their sons and daughters in Christian service? It’s a costly 


30 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


gift when father and mother give the young life upon which 
they might lean when their own steps falter. But—‘God so 
loved that he gave his only begotten Son.” Has the familiar 
declaration of fact no appeal to the love that has been kindled 
in us by that first Christmas gift? 

The supreme need of the world to-day, as always, is sacri- 
ficing service, and only through such Christ-like service will 
it find its full life. The gift most like that first gift is the gift 
of a life of sacrificing service. 


LEGEND OF THE CHRISTMAS ROSE: TALK 
TO CHILDREN 


Many, many years ago the roses had a meeting. They met 
to decide at what season they would best like to blossom. 
There were ever so many varieties, large and small, double 
and single, white and pink, and red and yellow. Nearly every 
one of the many kinds chose to blossom in June. There was 
here and there a straggler who preferred the later summer 
or early autumn. The majority said: “June! June! June is 
surely the most beautiful month, and the rose is surely the 
most beautiful flower. The month and the flower belong to- 
gether.” 

But there was one little plant, the leaves of which were 
not yet unfolded. It thought it was a rose, but it was so 
small it hardly knew. None of the proud flowers paid it 
the least attention. It wasn’t asked for an opinion, and it — 
never said a word. But it had its own sweet thoughts. They 
were something like this: ‘It seems too bad that all the roses 
should bloom when the world is already full of beauty with- 
out them. I should like to have blossoms that would cheer 
when things were dreary. I should like to bloom in winter. 
I wonder if I could!’’ The little plant did not yet know what 
power there was in a kind purpose. 

The year sped around. The beautiful roses enjoyed their 
time of blossoming, and had all passed away. The snow was 
heavy on the ground. Men said that in many years there had 
not been such a snowfall. Christmas Day came, and on that 
day a young woman went to live with him who was once the 

Christ-child. ‘How sad that there are no flowers,” one said. 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 31 


‘She was so fond of flowers.’”’ But another said: “I know a 
‘bush which has blossoms under. the snow. It is in the far 
_corner of the garden.” 

They dug away the white drifts, and, sure enough, deep 
- down below the brave plant had done its best. Dozens and 
dozens of roses bloomed sturdily, daintily, white with pale 
pink frills, many more than were needed for the friend who 
appreciated flowers. 

In a house near by, a new baby came on this joyous day. 
“The mother must find a flower on her pillow, when she 
wakens from her sleep.” So a spray of the pale pink-edged 
blossoms lay there to welcome the new life. 

In still another house, on this Christmas Day there was a 
gay wedding. ‘The bride’s table was adorned with a bowl of 
the delicate winter rose blossoms. All the guests praised 
their exquisite perfection. ‘“Io think they blossomed for my 
wedding!” the bride exclaimed. Happy rosebush, for it had 
given beauty and gladness to the great events of life! 

But there was something better for the rose. The Lord of 
the garden knew all about it. He said: “Because this little 
plant grew and blossomed unnoticed, unpraised, content to 
wait and bring its small meed for others’ happiness, glad to 
be of use when other roses failed, it shall be named for me. 
Now and always, it shall be the Christmas Rose.” 

Think of others. Do not be selfish. Christmas means un- 
selfishness. Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, 
love Divine. Children, young people, bring all the love you 
can into the world—all the beauty, all the kindness, all the 

happiness.—H. 


THE STORY THAT NEVER GROWS OLD 


“Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall 
be to all people.”” Luke 2: 10. 

There is no story that has so stirred the heart of humanity 
as the story of the birth, life and labors of Jesus Christ, born 
of the Virgin Mary, in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of 
Herod the Great. The story has been told oftener than any 
other story, and yet it is still full of charm, and men tell it 
in all lands, and joy over it as if it were an event of yester- 


32 + CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


day. It is new at every Christmas, and the whole world lays 
aside its cares and its labors to listen to it once again. 

Why has this story such a hold upon the world? 

I. The hero of this story was a babe. The babyhood of 
heroes is usually thought unworthy of chronicle, but the baby- 
hood of Jesus has a significance which sacred historians think 
worthy of mention, for in this baby was the incarnation of 
God in human form. 

II. The hero of this story was a King. He had no royal 
trappings, and lived in no royal palace, but he was ‘‘King of 
kings and Lord of lords.’’ All things in heaven and in earth 
recognized his sovereignty. | 

III. He was a priest. He brought men to God, he re- 
vealed God to men, for the priest is one who makes the con- 
nection between God and man. 7 

IV. He was a perfect example. He challenged men to 
convict him of sin, but they were silent. There was found no 
fault in him as even his enemies testified. 

V. He was a perfect friend. He loved men. He lived 
with them. He never forsook those who needed him. The 
world is singing yet with increasing fervor, ‘‘What a Friend 
We Have in Jesus.” 

VI. He was a counselor. His words are the wisdom of — 
life. He pointed out to men the way of life, and warned them 
against the danger that beset their paths. 

VII. He was a comforter. No sorrowing one ever ap- 
proached him who did not find in him a comforter. 

VIII. He was a Saviour. He gave hope to the hopeless. 
No sinner was beyond redemption who came to him for cleans- 
ing. The witnesses of his saving power are everywhere in the 
world to-day. The invitation of salvation is borne on every 
breeze to every land. “Look unto me and be ye saved, all 
ye ends of the earth.” 


\ THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SERVICE 


Luke 2: 8-17. 

I. The place. The first Christmas service was not held in 
temple or synagogue, but out of doors; not under the glowing 
sun, but beneath the silent stars. 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 33 


II. The time. Although it was night, yet it was not dark, 
for a great light—‘‘the glory of the Lord’’—shone all around 
and lighted the place of the assembly. 

III. The congregation. The congregation was small, but 
there was no vacant place. So far as we know, it was com- 
posed wholly of men, not of the rich and great, but of the 
poor and lowly. They were shepherds ‘“‘abiding in the field, 
keeping watch over their flocks by night.” They were not 
gathered for worship, but for a round of common duty; but 
being faithful, were accounted worthy of the highest privi- 
lege and richest blessing. 

IV. The preacher. ‘The preacher came from “the land 
that is very far off,” from ‘“‘the better country,’ and was a 
notable one, even “‘the angel of the Lord.’ Nothing is said 
of his personal appearance or dress, and we are not told 
whether he stood before them or above them in the air. 
But what is vastly better, we are told what he said. 

VY. The sermon. The sermon is short, but every word ‘s 
full of meaning. It has three parts. 

1. In the first, the preacher puts his hearers at ease by 
saying, “Fear not’’; excites their interest with, ‘Behold, I 
bring you good tidings of great joy’; and suggests the duty 
of publishing the good tidings by the words, ‘‘Which shall be 
to all people.” 

2. The second part is the heart of the angel’s sermon. 
Here it is: “For unto you is born this day, in the city of 
David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’’ It is as if he 
had said: ‘The long line of prophecy is fulfilled; that for 
which ears have listened and hearts have hungered is now 
come to pass; the City of David has at last received her king; 
the Christ is born; God is manifest in the flesh: Emmanuel.” 
He is born “‘this day’’; not yesterday, for God’s love for men 
is so great that he cannot withhold the “good tidings of great 
joy” for a single day. And lest in their humility the shep- 
herds might think that the ‘‘good tidings” were not for them, 
the preacher made it personal: “Unto you’’—-shepherds—“is 
born this day——a Saviour.” 

3. The third part of it is by way of confirmation and 
assurance. The shepherds need not rely wholly on the 
preacher’s declaration, for somewhere in the City of David, 


34 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, was lying in a manger, 
and they could go and see for themselves.—ReEv. J. C. Ros- 
INSON. 


WHAT THE SHEPHERDS SAW IN THE CRADLE 


“And the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go 
even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, 
which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Luke 2: 13-15. 

We are told what the shepherds said: ‘Let us go even now 
unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.’’ 
And what did they see when they got there? This is the ques- 
tion we should ponder this Christmas morning. 

I. They saw a Child through whom had come to man the 
greatest revelation of man. 

II. They saw a Child born to give earth the greatest reve- 
lation of man. 

III. They saw him who was born to be the world’s 
Saviour. 

IV. They saw a Child who was born to be earth’s greatest 
Teacher. 

V. They saw a Child who alone had the right to the 
sovereignty of the world. Lowly, but King! Jesus, Son of 
man, Son of God! We worship thee this morning. Amen. 


. A CHRISTLESS WORLD 


There is a strange old legend of a world that grew color- 
less in a single night. ‘The clouds became lifeless, spongy 
vapors; the waves turned pale and motionless; the fire fled 
from the diamond, and light from every gem. ‘The world 
turned into a sculptor’s world, and all was animated stone. 
Those that dwelt upon it were saddened and bewildered at the 
change, and never ceased to mourn for the beautiful tints of 
flowers and grasses, and the vanished hues of the sunset clouds. 
All Nature was in mourning, and wore a leaden-colored robe. 
Nevermore should diamonds sparkle, nor rubies shine, nor 
dewdrops glisten in the morning light. Nevermore should 
there be a rainbow on the cloud, or a silver in the falling 
raindrops. The expanse of lake or ocean should nevermore 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 35 


reflect a blue heaven, nor the stars nor the sun. The world 
had passed into eclipse,—into the shadow of death. 

This old legend is a parable. It suggests to us a picture of 
the world without the Christmas Christ. What a dark, dead, 
dismal world this would be, what an awful world it would be 
if in that total eclipse of a Christless condition! What if 
there had been no Saviour? 

We celebrate the day of Christ’s birth—Christmas, the 
gladdest, brightest, happiest day of all the year; but will it 
not be all the happier if we prepare for it by at least for a 
little time thinking of what the world would be if there had 
been no Saviour? The bright scene will be all the brighter 
for having in the background this heavy, dark curtain of the 
thought of a Christless world. | 

Others have had this thought. Job had it. He saw man 
a sinner, and asked how it was possible for him to be justified 
before God. The apostle John had it, and said: ‘He that 
believeth not is condemned already.” The writer of the 
epistle to the Romans had it, when he told of the awful sins 
of men, and added that God would render to every man ac- 
cording to his deeds. The apostle Paul had it when he told 
the Ephesian Christians that before they had been quickened 
by Christ they were “dead in trespasses and in sin.” A Christ- 
less world! If there had been no Saviour! No eclipse could 
be so dark as that. 

I. It would mean a heathen world. Read Pagan history. 

II. It would mean a hopeless world. Christ put hope into 
the world. Christmas Day has well been called ‘The Birth- 
day of Hope.” 

III. It would mean a paralyzed world, for where there is 
no hope there is no action. 

IV. It would mean a lost world. Lost! A lost world! 
If there had been no Saviour! | 

Are you ready to appreciate the Christmas message? The 
good news of the Gospel? Are you ready to yield your- 
self wholly, heartily, gladly to Christ and let him be your 
Saviour ?-—H. 


36 -CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


: CHRIST'S ADVENT 
Luke 1: 78, 79. 


I. The state ar mankind tetas he came. “In darkness 


and the shadow of death.”” Ignorant (1) Of moral character 
of God; (2) Of the purity of his law; (3) Of the evil nature 
and dreadful consequences of sin; (4) Of the true source of 
happiness; (5) Regarding the future state. 

II. The remarkable description of the Saviour. ‘“The 
Dayspring from on high.” The great source of (1) Life; 
(2) Light; (3) Glory. 


THE DAYSPRING FROM ON HIGH 


Luke 1: 78, 79. 

I. A declaration of a blessed fact. “The Dayspring from — 
on high hath visited us.”’ 

II. The source and origin of that fact. ‘Through the 
tender mercy of our God.” 

III. Its divine fruits and consequences. ‘To give light to 
them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to guide 
- our feet into the way of peace.”’ 


GOD'S REVELATION IN CHRIST 


‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a 
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ Luke 2:11. 

Bethlehem’s manger holds the profoundest thought of the- 
ology, the grandest theme of song, the cheerfulest hope for 
humanity, the answer to man’s imperious cry. 

I. Incarnation. God coming to dwell in man. 

II. Revelation. In that cradle man looks upon the face 
of the King and the soul is satisfied. 

III. Presence. “Emmanuel—God with us,” the living root 
of Christian faith—the foundation and superstructure of the 
church. 

IV. Power. Outward reach of God to help his children 
up. I. By his power—regenerating and sanctifying. 2. By 
his teachings—loftiest and most practical. 3. By his example 

—‘‘He went about doing good.’”’—C. A. T. 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES reey. 


ALL MEN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM 


“His name shall endure forever; his name shall be con- 
tinued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; 
all nations shall call him blessed.” Ps. 72:17. 

I. The renown which the Saviour shall acquire. 

1. The sources from which it is derived. 
(1) Itis derived from the constitution of his person. 

(2) It is derived from his work. 

(3) It is derived from his reward. 

2. The duration through which it shall last. 

IJ. The influence which the Saviour shall exert. 

(1) Its beneficial nature. 
(2) Its universal extent. 
(3) Its unworldly methods. 


THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST 


“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, 
which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay 
andvbrake them inipieces,’ etc. Dan. 2:34, 35. 

I. The kingdom of Christ is divine in its origin. 

If. The kingdom of Christ is humble in its beginnings. 

Ill. The kingdom of Christ is progressive in its tendency. 

IV. The kingdom of Christ is triumphant in its course. 

V. The kingdom of Christ is universal in its extent. 

VI. The kingdom of Christ is eternal in its duration. 


THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT 


‘Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.’ 2 Cor. 
See | 
Bethlehem is the goal of man’s weary march. Here we re- 
ceive the gift of the Child-Christ, who is to become our 
Saviour from sin, our hope from despair and our life from 
the dead. 

I. The door of the stable opens into the pathway to the 
palace of the King. The humblest is the holiest place. 

II. The child of Bethlehem’s manger, the poorest and 
weakest of earth, one day will be King of the universe, 


38 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


crowned with many crowns. Angels are his attendants; wise 
men his worshippers. A new star is the finger pointing to his 


birthplace, the shepherds are his watchers and all the future 


his realm. 

III. The wonderful Christmas Gift is yours, if you will 
take the Christ into your heart; but if the door to your being, 
like the inn, is closed against him, if there is no room for him 
in your darkened soul, you will suffer regret, disgrace and 
sorrow. ‘The greatness of the gift is indescribable, because 
with him you have all other treasures—all other needs sup- 
plied. 

Human language fails to portray more than the fringe of 
his robes, the beginnings of his power, the touch of his fingers. 
The unspeakableness of his infinite love will ever invite the 
affectionate approach of his followers——ReEv. E. W. Cas- 
WELL. 


THE CHRISTMAS SAVIOUR 


‘Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people 
from their sins.” Matt. 1: 21. 

Contrast between Jesus and other saviours or deliverers. 

I. Their salvation was secular. His is spiritual. 

II. ‘Theirs was instrumental, his personal. 

III. ‘Theirs was local. His GAReteae 

IV. ‘Theirs was temporary. His everlasting. 


“GOD WITH US” 


“They shall call his name Emmanuel; which, being inter- 
preted, is, God with us.” Matt. 1: 23. 

Explain the title. “Emmanuel. God with us.” 

I. God in our nature. 

II. God on our side. 

III. God in our heart. 

IV. God with us in heaven for ever. 


CHRIST, THE WORLD’S SUN 


“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteous- 
ness arise with healing in his wings.” Mal. 4:2. 


i 
ee ae et 


— a eee ae ee ee a ee 


es ee ee 


ee ee a 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 39 


I. Illustrate the comparison of our Lord Jesus Christ to 
a sun. 
1. His unapproachable preéminence. 
2. His benignant influence. 
3. His relation to the whole world. 
II. Describe his restorative or remedial efficacy. 
1. In the world. 
2. In the country. 
3. In an individual. 
I. Consider the persons to whom his efficacy is confined. 
1. Who are they? 
2. Why are they the sole recipients of the promised 
blessing? 
IV. Regard Christ as the sun of righteousness. 
1. Christ is the center of the spiritual world. 
2. Christ is the source of light. 
3. Christ is the source of heat. 
4. Christ is the object of attraction. 


II 


THE DESIGN OF THE SAVIOUR’S ADVENT 


“T am come that they might have life, and that they might 
have it more abundantly.” John to: 10. 
I. The design of the Saviour’s advent. 
1. Asa Priest, he procures life. 
2. As a Prophet, he reveals it. 
3. Asa King, he dispenses it. 
II. The amplitude of the design. 
1. More abundantly than Adam. 
2. More abundantly than the saints under the law. 
3. More abundantly than our former selves. 


REJOICING IN CHRIST’S REIGN 


“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.” Zech. 9:9. 
I. The character under which the Saviour is here presented 
to us. 
1. As just. 
2. As powerful. 
3. As lowly. 


40 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


II. The grounds of rejoicing in his reign. 
1. The peacefulness of his government. 
2. The extent of his empire. 
3. The privileges of his subjects. 


THE GOOD TIDINGS OF GOD 


‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I 
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the 
people.) ILuke 8 21, 

I. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is 
so beneficial. 

II. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is 
sO appropriate. 

lil. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is 
so personal. 

IV. The Gospel may be called good tidings, because it is 
so unexpected. 


THE DAY-SPRING 


“Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day- 
spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them 
that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our 
feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78, 79. 

I. The condition of the world previous to the advent of 
Christ. 

1. Astate of ignorance. 
2) state Of danger, 
II. The mercy of God toward the world in that condition. 
1. Undeserved. 
2. Unsolicited. 
3. Seasonable. 

Iii. The manner in which the mercy of God was mani- 
fested. _ 

1. He sent his Son to enlighten it in its ignorance. 
2. He sent his Son to guide it in its danger. 


CHRISTMAS SERMON OUTLINES 41 


THE STORY OF THE STAR 


‘For we have seen his star in the east and are come hither 
to worship him.” Matt. 2:2. 
|. The story. It is of the Christ Child. What was the 
star? Ample ground for speculation. But in any event it 
was the guide divine to these Eastern inquirers. Nor will the 
serious seeker to-day be left without a pilot to the Saviour. 
II. Its teachings. 
. SDhere is an East to every one in which this star 
appears. 
2.’ When this star is recognized it is the part of true 
wisdom to follow where it leads. 
3. If rejected, the conditions of guidance fail, and the 
neg conjunctive planets separate. 
The terminus of the guiding star is to the adoration 
~ of the God-man. 


WHY JESUS CAME 


“The Son of man is come to seek that which’ was lost.” 
Luke 19: fo. | 

I. That which was lost. Mankind. 

II. Son of man. He is the Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty 
God, etc. Yet out of love for a fallen race he lays aside his 
glory and becomes the Son of man. This is the title which 
Christ appropriates to himself. 

Il]. He came. Was not forced, compelled; he chose to 
come. 

IV. To seek. It is interesting to study how Jesus sought 
for souls. The Good Shepherd,—“Jesus sought me when a 
stranger.” 

V. To save. He came because there was something to 
save, something that was precious in his eyes, something worth 
‘saving. 


PART II: NEW YEAR TEXTS AND © 
THEMES 


Seasonal Opportunity: ‘There is a time to every purpose 
under the heaven.” Eccl. 3: 1. 

The Life That Lasts: Eccl. 12: 1-7. 

Secrets of Happiness: “Wappy is the man that findeth 
wisdom.’ Proy, 2:13: 

This Year Also: “‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in 
his vineyard,” etc. Luke 13: 6-9. 
Untrodden Ways: “Ye have not passed this way hereto- 
fore.” Josh. 3: 4. 

The Divine Leader: ‘‘And the Lord went before them,” 
AORN ipl 5 He Biter OE ode 

God the Way: “Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way,” — 
etc. Isa..43: 15-21. s 

Another Opportunity: ‘““He made it again.” Jer. 18: 4. 

Resolutions for the New Year: “I am resolved what to do.” 
Luke 16: 4. | 

Out of the Old and into the New: “He brought thee out to © 
bring thee in.”” Deut. 4: 37, 38. 

Need of Haste: “Brethren, the time is short.” 1 Cor. 
C20) i 

Peace by the Way: “See that ye fall not out by the yee ‘“ 
Geni i457 24. 

New Year Optimism: eae ee the Lord will do won- 
ders among you.” Josh. 3 | 
Shifting Scenery: “The eas of this world passeth 
AWAY. Gk OLaCy cia Ty | 
New Year Wisdom: “So teach us to number our days that 
we apply our hearts unto wisdom.”’ Psa. 90: 12. 

Over a New Road: ‘Ye have not passed this way hereto- — 

fore,’ Josh, 3% A. 

A New Man in a New Year: “lf any man be in Christ he — 

is a new creature,” etc. 2 Cor. 5:17. | 

New Books Opened: “The books were opened.” Rey. 

20:12. Book of Providence. Book of God’s Law. Book 
42 





NEW YEAR TEXTS AND THEMES 43 


of God’s Remembrance. Book of Individual Memory. 

Follow Your Leader: “And he led them on safely, so that 
they feared not.” Psa. 75: 53. 

Our Need of a Guide: “O Jehovah, I know that the way 
of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct 
his 'steps.~ Jer, 10: 29’. 

A Brave Woman’s Resolve: Ruth 1: 16. 

A Forward Look: Phil. 3: 12-14. 

Set Thine House in Order: “Set thine house in order, for 
thou shalt die and not live.” Isa. 38:1. 

The Flood of Years: “‘Vhe Lord sitteth upon the flood.” 
Psa. 29: ro. 

The Perpetuity of the Good: “Their works do follow 
them.” Rey. 14:13. } 

New Year Voices: ‘““Remember.”’ Acts 20: 31. 

A Pleasant Prospect: “My presence will go with thee.” 
Fix. 33:14. 

Prayer for the New Year: “Hold up my goings in my 
‘paths, that my footsteps slip not.”” Psa. 17: 5. 

A Year’s Work Reviewed: ‘“Then I looked at all the work 
that my hands had wrought, and on the labor I had labored 
to do; and behold all was vanity and a striving after wind, 
and there was no profit under the sun.” Eccl. 2: 11. 

The Unknown Future: “Our cattle also shall go with us; 
there shall not a hoof be left behind; for thereof must we 
take to serve Jehovah our God; and we know not with what 
we must serve Jehovah, until we come thither.”’ Ex. 10: 26. 
The Assurance: “TI will never leave thee.” Psa. 139: 1-17. 
A Happy New Year: “If they hearken and serve him, they 
shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleas- 
ures.” Job 36:11. 

Unirodden JY ays: Joshua 3: 1-17. 1. The Divine Leader. 
2. God, the way-maker. 3. The Lord’s highway. 4. Peace 
by the way. 5. The excellent way. 6. Trust for each day. 
The New Year: “Behold, I make all things new.” Rey. 
B21: 5. 

The Consecration of Time: Psa. go. 

The Source of True Happiness: ‘‘Whoso trusteth in the 
Lord, happy is he.’ Prov. 16: 20. 

Strength for the Day: ‘“Thy bars shall be iron and brass; 
_and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deut. 33:25. 


PART IV: NEW YEAR SERMON 
OUTLINES 


THE CHRISTIAN A SOJOURNER 


‘Pass the time of our sojourning here in fear.” 1 Peter 
ray. 

A sojourner is one who dwells in a strange country, and 
has no possession in it of his own. Thus, “Abram went down 
to Egypt to sojourn there.” He felt himself a stranger and 
a pilgrim, and by his unsettled state, he was kept in mind of 
the city which hath foundations—that is permanent and stable,. 
whose builder is the living God. See Heb. 11: 8, 9. : 

So a Christian is absent from his native country. He is 
born from above. His home is heaven. ‘The body is but the 
house of the soul’s pilgrimage, in which she is confined during 
her exile from home. ‘This is our New Year theme. 3 

I. A sojourner is at a distance from his relatives. Some 
of these may be with him, but how many have ceparat to 
the land of the blest! 

LOD ibie sojourner is sometimes exposed to rough treatment 
from the natives. His principles, pursuits, exertions, and 
hopes are hated by the wicked. 

IJ. A sojourner is but little known. His friendship, his 
companionship, are not courted. He has pleasures and bright 
anticipations of future bliss, to which sinners are strangers. 

IV. A sojourner has no inheritance in the country through 
which he is traveling. He seeks a “better country’; that is, 
a heavenly one. Why fix his affections on earthly things, which 
are transient and unsatisfying. 

V. His pilgrimage here is but short and fleeting. He is 
in this world for a certain season, and for some certain end; 
he has his work to do, and his measure of suffering to endure. 
Christ has called him to work in his vineyard, and he will 


soon call him to his reward. 
44 


NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 45 


VI. The Christian must pass the time of his sojourning 
here in fear. Not in slavish fear, for there is no necessity for 
that. Rom. 8:15. But in reverential fear—in fear of sin— 
in fear of offending God—in fear of temptation. 


OVER A NEW ROAD 


“Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” Josh. 3:4 

I. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.’ Therefore 
do not go until you be assured of the divine presence and 
protection. 

II. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” It is quite 
right, consequently, to take new ways and untried paths in 
life. | 

III. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.’ There are 
some particulars in which this must be true even of the least 
eventful life. 

IV. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” The sug- 
‘gestion is not human but divine. It is God himself that pro- 
poses to guide and defend the lives of man.—Rev. Dr. 
JosEPH PARKER. 


99 


NEW YEAR ACCOMPANIMENTS 


“And the prophet came to the King of Israel, and said unto 
him, Go strengthen thyself . . . for at the return of the year 
the King of Syria will come up against thee.” 1 Kings 20: 22. 

What will the new year bring? 

I. A renewal of life’s battle. The nobility of the life 
conflict. 

II. The return of the same old tniacoaters The same old 
Syrians, with new faces possibly, but certainly with reénforce- 
ments. 

III. The need for adequate preparation. In Gahan in 
alertness; in self-possession. 

IV. The same victorious leadership. “To whom hill or 
valley battlefield is alike, and with whom menacing numbers 
and parading chariots do not count. 

V. The call for individual loyalty and fidelity —REv. S. B. 
Dunn, D.D. 


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46 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THE JANUARY INVENTORY 


“Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching 
forward to the things which are before.” Phil. 3: 13. 

Here is a practice in which nearly every business man 
engages about this time of year. Disposing of old stock and 
antiquated apparatus, he rearranges and directs energies 
toward the coming year. Is it not well for souls to do like- 
wise? ‘The text: 

I. Implies incompleteness; there is room for something 
better. 

II. Permits progress. ‘“The way of life is wonderful; it 
is by abandonment,” e.g., the runner in the stadium puts be- 
hind him all preceding successes as well as failures; also super- 
fluous possession. 

III. Centers upon greater things: 


‘“‘Build thee more stately mansions, 
O my soul, 
As the swift seasons roll; 
Leave thy low-vaulted past.” 
—C. R.S%. 


VISITING THE GREAT YESTERDAYS 


‘Ask now of the days that are past.” Deut. 4: 32. 

Yes, but what shall we ask about, and what kind of spoil 
shall we bring back from the treasures of the past? What 
have we in our purses or in our wallets when we return? 

In the life of Lord John Russell I came upon a phrase 
which set me inquiring about my own habits. In a speech 
which he made in the House of Commons he said: ‘“‘We talk. 
too much, I think a great deal too much, of the wisdom of 
our ancestors. I wish we would imbibe the courage of our 
ancestors.” It is a very suggestive word, and one which may 
justly lead us to overhaul our ways. For it too often happens 
that when we go seeking for the wisdom of the past we bring 
back its prudence and reluctance. We go for counsel and we 
return with caution. We seek advice on our own new out- 
look and then we stand in the ‘‘good old ways.’’ Now sup- 


NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 47 


‘pose we take Lord John Russell’s suggestion, and visit our 
ancestors in order that we may imbibe their courage, what 
sort of courage should we bring back to the new demands of 
our own time? 

I. Well, first of all, I think we should have courage to 
make new trails over untrodden country. That was one of 
their most shining characteristics. They were not afraid to 
break new ground. ‘They would even obey the grip of a 
dumb imperative, not seeing the distant scene. They went 
forth, ‘not knowing whither they went’! They were not 
afraid to take risks with God. They were not afraid to be 
pioneers into more scrupulous rectitude and larger freedom. 
They marched out, with trumpets blowing, over the roadless 
moors, trusting to the guidance of the Lord they served. 

II. We, too, are face to face with untraversed country. 
We have new ground to break. The wilderness is before us, 
but we think we hear the call of the garden in the very realm 
of the desert! Shall we venture? Let us imbibe the courage 
‘of our ancestors and dare to leave their ways behind as they 
left the ways of those who had gone before. 

III. If we drink the valor of our ancestors we shall have 
courage to stand by the Truth even when the crowd has gone 
another way. We can go to the past and talk with Mr. 
Worldly-Wisdom, or we can have fellowship with Mr. 
Valiant-for-the-[ruth. Mr. Worldly-Wisdom is always in 
favor of safe measures, and he would go with the majority 
in the hope of something turning up, ‘‘you never know what!”’ 
His offered “wisdom” is always small prudence and com- 
promise. But we need the courage of our great ancestors, 
courage to march with Truth in little companies, courage to 
“rejoice with the truth,” in the absolute assurance that, in 
spite of all appearances, she marches to inevitable triumph. 
It is the courage which believes that Truth is God’s leaven 
of the kingdom and therefore indestructible. 

IV. And we must imbibe the courage that sees the Captain, 
and is comparatively careless about everything else. Where 
is the Lord Jesus Christ in this business? There! Then for- 
ward into hardships, forward into light!—Rrv. JouN HENRY 
Jowett, D.D. 


\ 


48 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


A NEW YEAR EXHORTATION 


“Redeeming the time.” Eph. 5: 6. 
I. How time is lost. 
1. By idleness. 
2. By excessive amusements. 
3. By unprofitable talk. 
4. By exclusive attachment to worldly pursuits. 
II. How is the time to be redeemed. 
1. By guarding against its loss. 
2. By acting according to rule or method. 
3. By specially attending to the parts of our time that 
are most precious. 
Dy ah being habitually engaged in doing good. 
ut Why is time to be redeemed. 
‘1. Because it is short and uncertain. 
2. Because the work to be done in it is important. 
3. Because the days are evil. 


THE PATH UNKNOWN 


“T will lead them in paths that they have not known.” 
VER ei Wor 7 
To God’s servants who had forsaken and forgotten him, 
but who had returned and were penitent. The promise is 
similar to that in the Epistle to the Romans: “‘As many as_ 
are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God,” 
So the benefit of the promise is limited, conditional. “The 
universe is governed according to law. It is not otherwise 
in religion. Two great laws govern the life of faith, human 
agency and divine potency. We need guides, because of the 
perils of the way. | 

I. Our greatest peril is the possible loss of faith. Men 
are eagerly inquiring, “Is the universe friendly?” | 

II. Another peril to our souls is the possible loss of 
enthusiasm. Wise was that French philosopher who, speak- 
ing to young people, said, ‘‘Cherish well your enthusiasm, 
for life robs us of so many we are likely to reach the end of 
the race without them.’ Wise, too, that English philosopher 


NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 49 


who gives us this saying: ‘No heart is pure until it is pas- 
sionate; no virtue is safe unless it is enthusiastic.” 

III. What can save us from loss of faith and loss of fer- 
vency? The very thing which God promises in these words, 
infallible guidance in the ways of life: ‘“Thou wilt show me 
the path of life.” Overconfidence is characteristic of youth. 
Underconfidence is characteristic of the disillusioned soul. 
Rational confidence, spiritual boldness, wealth of motive, 
plenitude of power, undiminished and undiminishing hope— 
these are the heritage of all who consent to be led along un- 
known paths by Infinite Wisdom.—REv. CHARLES CARROLL 
ALBERTSON, D.D. 


THE GUIDE THROUGH THE GATE 


“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts to wisdom.” Psa. 90:12. 
‘The longest day at last bends down to evening.’’ On 


- Thursday begins the new year of hope and victory. May we 


carry no hatred, no evil habit, across the threshold of 1920. 
All enmities should lie in the grave of the buried past. 
I. Every to-morrow should be better than yesterday, 


crowning the soul with pardon and peace. It is thus that 


sorrow will be turned to praise, gloom to gladness, the false 
to the true. 

II. One should never neglect or forget the presence of 
the Unchangeable One who walks with us all the way, leading 
us over dangerous places and guiding amid the mazes of mys- 
tery to his palace home. Continued communion with him can 


- never exhaust the resources of his love, nor reach the limit of 


his thought, nor measure the beauty of his holiness. Infinity 
is his dwelling-place; without him there is no being inviting 


you to an eternal ideal, no face revealing the glory of the 
Father, no person who can tell you the secret of life, the 
purpose of the universe, or the way to heart satisfaction amid 


the unrest and disappointments of time. 

III. He alone can preserve thy going out and thy coming 
in from this time forth and even forevermore. He is the 
bread of life for soul hunger, the water of life for thirst. 
In him we are filled with all the fullness of God. 


50 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


So, hope-lit New Year, with thy joys uncertain, 
Whose unsolved mystery none may foretell, 

I calmly trust my God to lift the curtain; 
Safe in his love, for me ’twill all be well. 


—Rev. E. S. CASWELL, D.D. 


GO FORWARD! 


‘Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” — 


DUA 1h. 


No word of admonition was oftener heard during the great — 
war than this: “Carry on.’ It became an almost universal — 
watchword among the English-speaking Allies. A gifted Eng- — 


lishwoman, left a widow with three children, lost two of her 
dear ones, but wrote to an American friend, “But we must 
go on.” 

I. The command, “Go forward!” is of the very essence 


of victory. This is true in life as in war. ‘‘Faint, yet pur- — 
suing,’’ is the apostolic resolution. Unnumbered foes may sur- 
round us. Siren voices may sing their song of dalliance. Our — 
native inertia may dispose us to cease effort. But the prize 
is still before us, and so long as earth tempts us or eternity 
beckons with its perfect hope, our only safety is to keep our — 
loins girded and go forward, however laboriously, however — 
painfully, making sure that in our progress we leave behind — 


no good that can be taken on with us. 


II. In the process of spiritual evolution God allows noth- | 


ing good in old forms to be forsaken—all that is best is in- — 


corporated in the new. The best of Judaism is in Christian- 
ity. The best in the Old Testament is confirmed in the New. 

Ilf. The best things in our earthly life are to be preserved 
for us in the life to come—faith and love. ‘‘Speak unto the 


children of Israel, that they go forward.”—ReEv. CHARLES — 


C. ALBERTSON, D.D. 


THE OPEN DOOR 


“Behold, I have set before thee an open door.” Rev. 3: 8. 
Endless ideals are open to every man, calling for his con- 
secration and endeavor. No enemy can shut the doors of 


NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 51 


- opportunity our Father has built into his household of worlds. 

I. Every door seems larger than the last, opening into 
vistas vaster and richer. Nothing is impossible or im- 
passable with one who is girded by divine strength. 

In nature, the scientist is entering open doors of wondrous 
vision. How much more the Christian sees in the realm of 
the supernatural. To-day, womanhood is passing over the 
threshold of greater usefulness and activity in larger life. Re- 
formers are also realizing ideals that once were in the dim 
distance. Governments are anticipating grander achievements 
than ever before accomplished. Out of the lion-eater of war 
is coming forth sweetness and light. | 

II. No human can shut God’s open doors. In heathen- 
dom, not doors but walls, whole sides, are falling down, in- 
viting missionary effort, educational privileges in the whole 
Christian civilization. 7 

God reveals to the human mind the secret of the telegraph, 
_ the telephone and the wireless, that we may speak to each 
other as we whisper to him. What a wonderful privilege to 
enter this gallery of communication and fellowship with the 
world of mankind! 

III. Man is God’s pioneer, educated and endowed so he 
can discover his Maker and the mighty forces of His creation. 
Let us at this New Year time look for the far spiritual hori- 
zon, the possible attainments of man in morals, devotion and 
heroism, more magical and marvelous than the human mind 
can picture. Infinite possibilities are waiting our coming, glad 
to be entered upon, discovered and enjoyed.—C. 


UNDER SEALED ORDERS 


‘And he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Heb. 
EEs5. 

We know why Abraham was called out of Ur. It is easy 
to perceive the philosophy of history after four thousand 
years. But they who find the first paths across the moun- 
tains do not know the configuration of the country. They 
make the maps and we read them. ‘The soldiers who fight 
in a great battle know little about it until it is over. It is 
easy for us now to see that it was God’s plan to select and 


52 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


train a special race of people for purposes of righteousness; 
that some one man must be the father of a family whose de- — 
scendants were to be kept apart from the heathen world, until 
at last, educated in the worship of God, in the apprehension — 
of his spirituality, his holiness, and his love, they should be — 
capable of furnishing the human ancestry of the Messiah. — 
This was God’s purpose in calling Abraham out of Chaldean 
idolatry. It was impossible for Abraham to see it, but it was — 
not necessary for him to see it. He had faith in God, faith © 
in the invisible world, faith in the future, faith in the hidden 
reason of his appointed pilgrimage. And so must we have — 
faith in God, and loyally follow our Leader, who says, ‘“‘What — 
I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.” | 

We start out into this new year—year of tremendous possi- © 
bilities for us individually and for the race—under sealed 
orders. Have faith in God. Loyally obey his commands. Be 
courageous and be true.—H. 


_ LEST WE FORGET 


“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts unto wisdom.” Psa. 90: 12. : 

Time is a part of eternity. If we are in eternity now, and © 
we are, it is very easy to see that the character of eternity — 
depends upon our use of time. 

I. To-day is the only hold we have upon eternity. This : 
hour is a little fragment of eternity. So, eternal issues flow — 
out of our actions now. When shall we ever learn the value — 
of time? A great English scientist who never willingly wasted 
an hour said, ‘‘He who wastes so much as an hour of time © 
has no proper sense of the value of life.” ‘The career of 
every notable man or woman in the world is marked by this 
characteristic if not explained by it—a keen sense of the value 
of time. 

There is the story of a king, who, unlike most kings, was | 
distinguished for his philosophic view of life. He said, “I 
count that day lost in which I have done no good thing.” 

II. We may count that day lost which does not add to 
our knowledge of God and of his Word, the knowledge of 
God’s habits and his thoughts. 


NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 53 


Il]. That day is lost which leaves no record of word of 
praise, no prayer of thanks, no thought of gratitude to God. 

IV. What is true of prayer is true of praise, that he who 
prays but rarely, prays not at all. Prayer and praise are not 
occasional notes in the organ of life, but pipes in the organ, 
absence of which means serious loss to the music, discord in- 
stead of harmony. Here and now we are to work out what 
God has wrought in us by his Holy Spirit, the passion for 
goodness and the quest for truth. Only as we redeem the 
time do we prove ourselves worthy the great redemption. Let 
us make the great work of the New Year the effort to use 
time—to improve time.—H. 


THE NEW PATH 


“Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” Josh. 3:4. 

I. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” We are all 
_ continually entering upon new paths, which afterwards turn 
out to be old ones in a new form. Religious experience moves 
by crises. Israel had not many years before gone across 
this same desert and been abruptly turned back to Sinai again, 
because of rebelliousness in their will. Now they were to go 
to Canaan, but by another route altogether. We are always 
beginning new experiences. But we should remember that in 
the year to come we shall find ourselves traveling over much 
the same road as last year. ‘There will not be anything ex- 
traordinary, surprising. Differences will be in details. 

II. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.”’ ‘Then, in 
the fresh chance God is giving, he offers to be himself our 
Helper and Friend. We failed last year. ‘The chances of life 
are still open. Our parts may be played over again. 

III. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” ‘Then, 
surely, the gifts of God’s love have not been appropriated by 
others, nor exhausted by ourselves. 

IV. “Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” But, it is 
well to remember that the ark has not passed this way, either. 
The Israelites were to accept God’s guidance implicitly. They 
were to bear the ark to the front and follow it without any 
question. It makes life a new thing to put the ark on before it. 

V. ‘Ye have not passed this way heretofore.” Now, with 


i} is 


é 


54 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


the ark in front, ‘“‘the joy of the Lord is your strength.”— 
Rev. CHARLEs S. Rosinson, D.D. 


THE NEW DATE 


“This month shall be unto you the beginning of months; it 
shall be the first month of the year.”’ Exodus 12: 2. 

We have here a new event, a new starting point—a new 
epoch, and therefore, a new era. That event was emancipa- 
tion, a redemption, an exodus. ‘There were centuries behind 
of exile and servitude; of that experience which has been so 
characteristic of Israel, a sojourning which was no naturali- 
zation, a dwelling amongst, without becoming of, another 
nation; estrangement, therefore isolation, solitude, even in 
populous cities, and amidst teeming multitudes. Now, all this 
is behind them. They are to quit the homeless home. Egypt 
behind, Sinai before, Canaan beyond, this is the exact account 
of the position of Israel when the words of the text were 
spoken. Redemption was the starting point of the new; from 
it all that follows shall take a new character, and a-new life. 

I. The idea of a new start is naturally attractive to all of 
us. We are fatigued, we are wearied, we are dissatisfied, 
and justly so, with the time past of our lives. We long for 
a gift of amnesty and oblivion. 

II. There are senses in which this is impossible. The con- 
tinuity of life cannot be broken. There is a continuity, a 
unity, an identity, which annihilation could only destroy. 

III. ‘“The beginning of months’’ is made by an exodus. 
Redemption is the groundwork of the new life. If there is in 
any of us a real desire for change, we must plant our feet 
firmly on Redemption. 

IV. When we get out of Egypt we must remember that 
there is still Sinai in front, with its thunderings and voices. 
We have to be schooled and disciplined by processes not 
joyous but grievous. These processes cannot be hurried, they 
must take their time. Here we must expect everything that is 
changeful, and unresting, and unreposeful, within as without. 
But he who has promised will perform. He who has redeemed 
willsave. He who took charge will also bring through.—REv. 
C. J. VAUGHAN. 


vy, 


NEW YEAR SERMON OUTLINES 55 


A HAPPY NEW YEAR PROBLEM 


“Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the 
work ofthe Lord.))) 1 Cor. 19758: 

The beginning of the year is the occasion for new policies 
in business. Why not new programs in life? MHere is one 
which is truly ‘‘happy”’ because of: 

I. Tight Adjustment of Life. Original idea of “happy’’? 
“Happily married.” Lot failed in adjustment, while Abra- 
ham grew into closer blissful friendship with God. 

II. Increasing Stability. Tranquil life journey. President 
Wilson not afraid of “unlucky” thirteens because of his poise. 

IIJ. Fruitfulness. Abounding life always follows right 
planting (adjustment). | 

IV. Companionships in higher and more congenial voca- 
tion: “Work of the Lord.” | 

VY. Certain outcome guaranteed by divine integrity. 


SHIFTING SCENERY 


‘The fashion of the world passeth away.” 1 Cor. 7:31. 

The image is drawn from a shifting scene in a play repre- 
sented on a stage. Human life, indeed, is a drama, and its 
conditions and mutations are merely the stage-settings that 
are ever shifting. 

I. The New Year season is a good time to consider the 
serious import of living. ‘To be actors in earnest in a play 
that is real. 

II. The New Year season is a good time to discriminate 
between what is essential and what is stage-setting and 
scenery. 

II]. The New Yéar season is a good time to play a part 
fitting to the scenery of the occasion. To repent, to re- 
solve, to renew as the personal need demands.—ReEv. S. B. 


Dunn, D.D. 


PART V: EVANGELISTIC TEXTS AND © 
THEMES 


Bring Them In: “Go out and compel them to come in.” 
Luke 14: 23. q 

Knowing and Doing: “To him pa knoweth to do good © 
and doeth it not, it is sin.’ Jas. 4 q 

Christ First, and Christ Forever: “Seek first the kingdom — 
of God and his righteousness.’ Matt. 6:33. Make this the © 
motto of your life. 1. Christ first in your intellectual life. — 
2. Christ first in your emotional life. 3. Christ first in your | 
domestic life. 4. Christ first in your social life. 6. Christ — 
first in your civic life. 7. Christ first in your church life. © 
8. Christ first in your personal zeligious life. Crown him © 
Lord. Crown him Lord of all. | 

Personal Work: John 1:29. 1. Responsibility of per- — 
sonal work. 2. Advantages of personal work. 3. Hindrances © 
to personal work. 4. Opportunities for personal work. © 
5. Equipment for personal work. Will you now resolve and © 
act upon Isa. 6: 8? 

All Sinners May be Saved: aan 6:37. 1. Saved from sin. 
2. Saved by Christ. 3. Saved for service. | 

Poverty to Plenty: Isa. 55: 1-7. This chapter describes the — 
pilgrimage from Poverty to Plenty via Pardon. 1. The © 
land of spiritual poverty. 2. The land of spiritual plenty. — 
3. Pardon the way from poverty to plenty. : 

Become a Christtan—W hy Not? Matt. 4:17. 

How to Help the Unsaved: “Behold the Lamb of God, 
which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1: 29. 

When to Believe: “Choose you this day: whom you will 
serves.) Josh y24" 16: 

The Gracious Invitation: ‘Come, for all things are now 
ready.’ Luke 14> 17, 

The Very Best Time: ‘Behold, now is the accepted time, - 
behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. 


What is True Penitence? Psa. 51. 1. Repentance is sor- 
56 





EVANGELISTIC TEXTS AND THEMES 57 


row. 2. Repentance is humility. 3. It involves confession. 
4. It is turning from sin. 5. It leads to God. 

Incentives to Work: 1. Without Christ men are lost. 
I John 5:1. 2. Save a soul from death. James 5: 20. 
3. Shine as the stars. Dan. 12:3. 4. Crown of life. Rev. 
ne: TO) 

God’s Grace: Eph. 2:4-7. God is a God. 1. Rich in 
mercy. 2. A God of great love. 3. A God of salvation. 
4. A God of grace. 5. A God of kindness. 

The Source of Power: “But ye shall receive power, when 
the Holy Spirit is come upon you.” Acts 1: 8. 

The Self-Complacent Church Member: “What doth it 
profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not 
works? Can that faith save him?” Jas. 2:14. 

Why Decide Now? ‘And while they went away to buy, 
the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with 
him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.” Matt. 
pz 2/10; 

The House of the Wide-Open Door: Isa. §5: 1-13. 

Done Suddenly: 2 Chron. 33: 26. 

Begin Now: 2 Cor. 6: I-10. 

An Invitation Slighted: “But they made light of it.’ Matt. 
22:5. 

An Open Confession: “I will declare what he hath done for 
my soul.” Psa. 66: 16. 

Christ’s Call for You: ““The Master is come and calleth 
for thee.” John 11: 28. | 

_ The Heart Asked For: ‘“‘My son, give me thy heart.” 

‘Prov. 23: 26. | 

Strange but True: ‘‘Yet there is room.”” Luke 14: 22. 

Prayer a Good Sign: “Behold he prayeth.” Acts 9: 21. 

A Good Resolution: “I will arise and go to my father.” 
Luke 15: 18. 

Conditions of Discipleship: Luke 9:23. Deny self. Take 
up cross daily. Follow me. 

Acquaintance with God: “Acquaint now thyself with him 
-and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 
20.5 27. 

The Supreme Question: “What shall I do to be saved?” 
Acts 16: 30. 


58 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Making Excuse: “And they all, with one consent, began to 
make excuse.”’ Luke 14:1.. 

“Come! Come! Come! ‘The Spirit and the bride say, 
Come.) Reyi22259: 

God’s Quiet Work: “Whose heart the Lord opened.” 
Acts 16: 14. 

Seeking the Lord Our Immediate Duty: “‘It is time to seek 
the-Lord.’’ Hosea 10: 12. 

The Feast Prepared: ‘Come, for all things are now ready.” 
Duke Tac: 

The Spirit of Adoption: ‘And because ye are sons, God 
hath sent forth his spirit into your hearts, crying, Abba, 
Prather. Gali: 6. 

The Common Salvation: ‘Beloved, when I gave all dili- 
gence to write unto you of the common salvation,” etc. Jude 3. 

Seeking God: “O God, thou art my God, early will I seek 
thee Psav 63:1. 

The Day of Salvation: ‘Behold now is the accepted time; 
behold now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. 

Christ Knocking at the Heart: “Behold, I stand at the door 
and knock,” etc. Rev. 3:20. 


\/ 





PART VI: EVANGELISTIC SERMON 
OUTLINES 


MAKING EXCUSE 


‘“‘And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse.” 
Luke 14:1. 
I. Notice the provision made—“All things are now ready.” 
1. On earth. Redemption provided—promise  re- 
corded—Holy Spirit prepared to sanctify. 
2. In heaven. Glory secured. 
II. The invitation addressed. ‘“‘Come.” 
1. Who are bid to come? All to whom God sends the 
message. A great privilege. 
2. What does it invite usto do? Not to prepare a feast, 
but to come to one already provided and receive it as 
a blessing to be desired. 
III. The conduct too generally pursued. ‘To make 
excuse.” 
1. The’Jews. Did not find in him what they expected 
in the Messiah. 
2. The Gentiles. Did not like the want of philosophy 
in the gospel; and esteemed it foolishness. 
3. The world. Men of the world are too busy to give 
religion serious thought. 
4. The young and the frivolous. It forbids their 
pleasures. 
5. The middle aged, etc. Have too many cares and 
troubles to attend to it. 
Then, if we fail to find mercy at last, it will not be God’s 
fault. He has provided and invited, but we have neglected. 
What a mercy that the invitation still says, “Come.” 


59 


60 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


A NEW CREATION 


“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.’ 2 Cor. 


Rita 


I. His judgments are new. His judgment of himself, of 
God, of the purpose of life, of happiness, is formed by truth. 

II. His purposes are new. His great purpose is to serve 
God. Every other purpose is subservient to this one grand 
master-purpose of his being new. 

III. His desires are new. ‘Whom have I in heaven but 
thee ete 

IV. His conversation is new. He spake of things above. 

V. His actions are new. He walks in Christ. 


SPEPSkTO CHRIST 


“T will arise and go to my Father.” Luke 15: 18. 

Let us consider a few of the steps necessary for the sinner. 
in turning to God. | 

I. Conviction. He must feel his guilt, that he is a sinner, 
that he has sinned against God, and as such has no part in 
his kingdom. Do not mistake conviction for conversion. We 
have often seen souls buried in tears through conviction, who, | 
through acceptance into church fellowship or the partaking 
of the Lord’s Supper, were considered “consecrated to God.” 
Conviction is nothing more than the opening of the eyes to o} 
behold the condition and real danger of the soul. | 

II. Being convicted of the error of his way, it requires 
action. He must have a desire for forgiveness; a willingness 
to seek redemption in Jesus Christ. ‘his evidence he shows 
by coming to the altar of prayer, or some other such step. 

III. Faith. He must have faith in Jesus Christ, that his 
blood is sufficient to cleanse from all sin. 

IV. A complete surrender to God. Not for a day, nor for 
a night, but once and for all: “From this day on until death 
will I serve thee.’ No hidden sins or pleasures of this life 
can be withheld from God; it requires a full surrender, and 
then, and then only, the blessing will come.—Rev. J. F. 
GRUBE. 


EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 61 


WHAT TIME IS IT? 


“Tt is time to seek the Lord.’’ Hos. 10: 12. 

I. It is time to seek the Lord. A call to the sinner. 

| IL. It is high time to awake out of sleep. Rom. 13:11. 
A warning to the saint. 

_ III. It is time for thee, Lord, to work. Psa. 119:126. A 
prayer to the Lord. 







Time was is past, thou canst not it recall; 
Time is thou hast: employ the portion small; 
Time future is not, and may never be; 
Time present is the only time for thee. 
—Rev. CHARLES EDWARDs. 


| “REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST” 


I. Why? Because Jesus Christ loves you and died for you. 
‘This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that 
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 
his, 

II. How? 

1. By receiving him. ‘‘As many as received him, to 
them gave he power to become the sons of God.” 
Jno. 1:12. To receive Christ means to accept the 
sacrifice that he made for you by his death on 
Calvary. | 

2. By confessing him. “If thou shalt confess with thy 
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart 
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt 
be saved.” Rom. 10:9. 


“CARE FOR SOULS 


“No man careth for my soul.” Psa. 142: 4. 
I. What is it to care for the souls of others. 
1. To have a firm conviction of the value of their souls. 
2. To feel apprehension of the danger to which their 
souls are exposed. 


62 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


3. To cherish tender solicitude for the welfare of their 
souls. 
4. To make zealous exertion to bring them to the 
Saviour. 
II. Who are they who ought to care for the souls of 
others? 
1. The ministers of the Gospel. 
2. The members of the Church. 
3. Heads of families. 
4. Sabbath School teachers. | 
III. What are the evils of not caring for the souls of 
others? 
1. How cruel! 
2. How ungrateful! 
3. How criminal! 
4. How fatal! 


CHURCH PROSPERITY 


“© Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity.” Psa. 
TLS 25 
I. God is the source of church prosperity. 
II. God is the source of church prosperity through prayer. 
III. In what does church prosperity consist ? 
1. An earnest membership. 
2. A learning membership. 
3. A membership that conscientiously uses the means of 
grace. 
4. A working membership—all at it and always at it. 
5. A membership possessing a missionary spirit. 
6. A membership that heartily supports the institutions 
of religion at home. 
7. A membership that walks in separation from the 
world. 


GIVING THE HEART 


‘“My son, give me thine heart.” Prov. 23: 26. 
I. What is implied in the giving of the heart to God? 
1. [hat it is given sincerely. 


EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 63 


2. That it is given entirely. 
3. That it is given freely. 
4. That it is given forever. 
Il. Why the heart should be given to God. 
1. He is worthy of it. 
2. He has a title to it. 
3. He demands it. 
4. He will bless it. 


THE GREAT QUESTION 


‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” John 9:35. 

The chapter relates the extraordinary cure of the man 
born blind. By this miracle Jesus declared himself to be the 
Son of God with power. Great was the miracle for the 
body—but a greater miracle was effected for the soul. 

I. The object of faith. ‘The Son of God.” His Divinity 
and Godhead appear from the following considerations: From 
the express declarations of scripture. From the perfections 
ascribed to him, which are peculiar to deity. Eternity; “Be- 
fore Abraham was I am.’’ Unchangeableness; “‘Jesus Christ, 
the same yesterday,’ etc. Heb. 13:8. 

Almighty power; “‘Christ the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1: 24. 
Infinite wisdom; “Light of the world’; “‘the only wise God.” 
Infinite love; ‘“Ye know the grace,” etc. 2 Cor. 8:9. Crea- 
tion is ascribed to him. And so is redemption. From the 
works which he did. ‘These could not have been done by a 
person inferior to God. Such as searching the heart, and 
perceiving what was in it, healing the sick and raising the 
dead, the forgiving of sins. | | 

II. The nature of faith. ‘Dost thou believe?’ It is \ 
not merely giving credit to the Scriptures. It is not merely | 
confessing the doctrines of any particular creed. It is not | 
4 mere professing of faith. Faith is confidence, trust or re- | 
jance upon the sacrificial death of Christ for salvation and — 
everlasting Life. It is the act of the heart by which we | 
1eartily welcome him into our souls. The scriptures figura- 
ively represent this grace, as beholding him, or looking to 
1im; it is coming to Christ, laying hold of him, receiving him, 
resting on him, etc. 


64 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


III. The effects of faith. ‘“‘Dost thou believe on the Son 
of God?” It does not relate to others, but to ourselves. It 
does not refer to mere information or opinion, but to faith. 
It refers not either to past or future, but to the present: ‘Dost 
thou believe?” 


THE SEEKING SHEPHERD 


Dukev i sit ivy: 

I. What is sought? The straying sheep. V.4. Isa. 53:6 
is true of you. There is an inborn tendency in you that leads 
you away from God. How long you have strayed; how far 
you have strayed; how often you have strayed; prevents not 
the Good Shepherd from seeking you. 

II. How many are sought? One. V. 4. Only one sheep 
lost, but that one calls forth all the love of the seeking shep- 
herd. Love counts not by numbers, but by worth. 

Ill. Why he seeks. The sheep is his own; and without 
him it is fatally and finally lost. | 

IV. How long he seeks. ‘‘Until” he find it. The shep- 
herd sought “until”? he found his sheep; the woman swept 
her house “‘until’’ she found her silver; the father loved and — 
looked “until” his son returned—ReEv. T. S. HENDERSON. 


ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD 


‘“‘Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby | 
good shall come unto thee.”’ Job 22:21. 

I. The nature of acquaintance with God. 

‘‘Acquaintance”’ implies not mere personal knowledge, but — 
that intimacy and familiarity which subsists between one friend — 
and another. Psa. 55:15; 101: 4. : 

II. The means of acquaintance with God. Enlightenment by | 
the Spirit. Faith in the sacrifice of Christ. Believing prayer. — 
Constant supplications to God through Christ will produce © 
real and precious intimacy with him. The constant cherish- — 
ing of the Spirit’s influences. The study of God in his word, 
in his house, etc. By frequent intercourses with Christians. 

Ill. The season for commencing acquaintance with God. 
“Now.” 


EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 65 


_ The present time is the best. The present time is claimed 
by God himself. ‘“To-day, if ye will hear his voice,” ete. 
It is the only time of which you are certain. 
IV. The happy results of acquaintance with God. 
1. Peace. God is the God of peace, and all his people 
enjoy it. 
2. Good. Temporal good. Providential goodness. 
Spiritual good. The gifts and graces of the Spirit. 
Divine support in every trial, etc. Heavenly good. 
Eternal good. 


EXCUSES 


‘They all with one consent began to make excuse.” Luke 
14:18. 

I. An excuse implies guilt. It is the acknowledgment 
of an unperformed duty, with a request for pardon. Our 
capacity for action in a life full of limitations is such that we 
are occasionally forced to leave undone or defer doing what 
we ought to do. In such a case we feel justified in asking 
to be excused. But our excuses become insults to the party 
to whom they are offered when we exalt a minor duty above 
a great and essential one, when by our very excuses we mini- 
mize the importance of the one thing needful. 

II. In the parable of the great supper earthly interests 
are set against the divine call of grace by the unwilling guests. 
Does the Lord, then, mean that in order to become Chris- 
tians we must let weeds grow on our farms, suffer our cattle 
to perish, and break a lawful marriage engagement? Indeed 
not; all these things have the divine approval and do not in 
themselves conflict with the profession and practice of Chris- 
tianity. Peter was engaged in plying his trade as a fisherman 
when the Lord asked for the loan of his boat, and Peter in- 
curred no loss by suspending for a season his regular occu- 
pation. : 

III. Godliness is profitable unto all things, and has the 
promise of this life and that which is to come. But foolish 
shortsightedness, carnal indifference, and plain aversion to 
holy things make men misunderstand completely in which di- 
rection their best interests lie. 


66 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


IV. It is this materialistic, thoroughly secular spirit that 
the Lord attacks in the present parable. As a servant of the 
Lord and rejoicing in God’s favor, how much better would 
the farmer have enjoyed his new field, the cattle-raiser his 
oxen, the newly-married the holy estate of matrimony! Justly 
the Lord of the banquet is angry at such ruthless contempt 
of his gracious overtures to sinners.—D. 


PRICE OF REDEMPTION 


“For ye are bought with a price.” 1 Cor. 6: 20. 

I. ‘Jesus paid it all’’ is welcome news to insolvent debtors. 
When we were slaves to sin, he purchased our pardon. When 
we were stained with guilt, he opened the fountain of cleans- 
ing. Wanderers in a far country, he himself became our way 
home; yea, he walks with us in sweet companionship and 
blessed guidance. | 

II. What can we do for him who bankrupted himself, be- 
came poor that we through his poverty might become rich? > 
Shall we despise our benefactor, refuse his gifts, deny his — 
loving-kindness, reject his offer of liberty? Such ingratitude 
would be indescribable folly. What child could thus push 
aside the mother who bore him, loved and reared him, and — 
ever watched over him? But a mother may forget her child— 
he will not forget thee. : 


“‘T gave my life for thee; 
What hast thou given for me?” 


III. We have peace by his blood, ransom by his cross, — 
heaven by his love. Your freedom is purchased, but, alas, you ~ 
may love slavery better than freedom, the serfdom of Egypt — 
better than the glory of Canaan, the bondage of Satan better 
than the liberty of the sons of God. 

Well may we acclaim, ‘‘Blessed Jesus, who bore our sins, 
carried our sorrows, was touched with the feelings of our 
infirmities, endured the cross for us, was glad to pay the price — 
of our redemption that we might live unto him and with him ~ 
in the everlasting life.”’—C. 


EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 67 


CHRIST WAITING 


“Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” etc. Rev. 3: 20. 

These words are addressed to careless professors. How- | 
‘ver applicable to sinners, they are not addressed to them. 
[hese words produce widely different emotions. Sorrow, that 
he door is shut. Joy, that he knocks and waits. Wonder. 

I. What bars the door? The 17th verse answers: 
t. Riches. Prosperity in the world too often makes the heart 
‘allous to the voice of Christ. ‘‘If riches increase,’ etc. 
2. Indolence, verse 15. Beware of lukewarmness. Earnest 
1earts alone give Christ a hearty welcome. 3. Pride. “‘I 
1ave need of nothing.” Self-satisfaction is incompatible with 
levotion. He who prays aright, prays as a pensioner. 

II. Why is it not opened? Is it that they do not hear his 
voice? Have they no desire to see him? Why is your heart 
shut? Is it not because you have dwelling within that which 
Christ abhors, that you are loth to part with? Darling sins. 
Unworthy motives. Sinful desires. Oh, let him in; he will, 
1¢ must, drive out these polluters of the Holy Spirit’s temple. 

III. Who knocks without? Thy Friend! thy Saviour! thy 
sod! On him are marks of what he has borne for you. In 
1is hand are blessings he intends for you. 

IV. What is his errand? 1. He seeks communion. He 
would speak to you and have you speak to him. 2. He seeks 
‘efreshment. For himself, for you. The heart when Christ 
Iwells therein knows no want. Here Jesus sees of the travail 
»f his soul, and is satisfied. 

V. Is he to be admitted? 1. If so, it must be at once. 
2. With a hearty welcome. 

Jesus knocks; listen. Open. 


A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE 


“Be filled with the Spirit.’ Eph. 5:18. 

The Holy Spirit is mentioned 90 times in the Old Testa- 
ment, and 264 times in the New Testament. There are some 
distinctions to be borne in mind. 

I. There is a difference between being indwelt of the 
Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. Every Christian is in- 


>. « 
Az 


68 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


dwelt of the Spirit, but every Christian is not infilled with the 
Spirit. 
Leo “The infilling of the Spirit is always subsequent to the 
indwelling of the Spirit. 
III. The infilling of the Spirit is always one of degree. 
IV. It is for all Christians. 
V. There is a difference between being full of the Spirit 
and being filled with the Spirit. 
If you are living a Spirit-filled life the following things will 
be true of you: 
I. You will have an increased knowledge. 
(a) Of your own salvation. 
(b) Of the will of God as it pertains to what he 
would have you do. 
(c) Of the Word of God. The Bible will be illumi- 
nated. 
2. You will have increased development of character. 
3. You will have an increased power of service. 
—From a sermon by Rev. Wm. E. BIEDERWOLF, D.D. 


A BLESSED WHOSOEVER 


‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall 
besaveds shOmyTEO tT aa 
I. The Blessing. 
1. Salvation from guilt.. 
2. Salvation from sin. 
3. Salvation from misery. 
Il. ‘The Duty. 
1. Call on the proper object. 
2. Call through the proper medium. 
3. Call by the proper aid. 
4. Call with the proper dispositions. 
IfI. The Person. 
Of whatsoever nation. 
Of whatsoever rank. 
Of whatsoever age or sex. 
Of whatsoever mental ability or culture. 
Of whatsoever moral character. 


iA RW DN & 


EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 69 


THE WORTH OF THE SOUL 


“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole 
world, and lose his own soul?’ Mark 8: 36. 
I. The value of the soul. 

1. Its power and capacities. 

2. Its immortality. 

3. The plan of its redemption. 

4. The conflict it occasions in the universe. 

II. The loss of the soul. 

1. Its nature;—the loss, not of being, but of holiness, 
of happiness, of heaven, of hope. 

2. [he ways in which it may be incurred ;—through open 
infidelity, through gross vice, through formal pro- 
fession, through sheer carelessness. 

III. The impossibility of compensating for the loss of the 
soul by the gain of the world. 

1. The gain is problematical; the loss is unavoidable. 

2. The gain is ideal; the loss is real. 

3. The gain is temporary; the loss is final and irre- 
trievable. 


OUR BEST HELPER 


‘*T will help thee.” Isa. 41: Io. 

I and thee. Two persons. -Uhe person speaking is Jesus 
our God who can help, and the person spoken to means every- 
body who ‘needs his help and seeks it. 

I. He is always near to help. 

II. He is always able to help. 

Ill. He is always willing to help. — 

IV. He is always kind in helping. 


CONTINUING — 


I. Inthe love of Christ. John 15:9. 

II. In the Word of Christ. John 8:31. 

III. In the grace of God. Acts. 13: 43. 

AV. In'the faith. Acts 14:22. 2 Tim: 4:2, 6-8. 
V. In the things learned. 2 Tim. 3: 14-15. 


70 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THREE CONDITIONS OF SOUL 


Psalm 63. 

I. My soul thirsteth—desire. V. 8. 

II. My soul shall be satisfied—decision. V. 15. 
III. My soul followeth hard—devotion. .V. 24. 


THE CALLS OF CHRIST 


I. Follow me. John 1: 43. 

II. Come to me. Matt. 11: 28. 
III. Learn of me. Matt. 11: 29. 
IV. Abide inme. John 15: 4. 


ALMOST A CHRISTIAN 


“Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 
12:34. 
To the almost-a-Christian: 
I. Describe him. 
Fle may have a considerable knowledge of religion. 
He may have strong convictions of sin. 
He may have a good reputation among men. 
He may have freedom from many of the vices by 
which he was once enslaved. 
He may have a liking for the public and private exer- 
cises of devotion as forms. 
II. Warn him. | 
1. He will not, in his present state, attain the blessings 
of salvation. 
2. If lost, his ruin will be all the greater because of his 
attainments. 
‘Not far from” is not “in” the kingdom. But it is a hope- 
ful condition, a condition of present and blessed opportunity. 
Enter. Enter now. 


PEPE, 


Ga 


“WE BEAR THE NAME OF CHRISTIANS” 


‘And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” 
Acts 11: 26. 


cI 
- 


aityy ht 
” 


EVANGELISTIC SERMON OUTLINES 71 


I. The origin of the name. 

1. If it was imposed by God, it shows that he is solici- 
tous to fix the proper aspect in which his people are 
viewed. 

2. If it was assumed by the disciples, it shows that they 
regarded Christ as the center of their religion. 

3. If it was affixed by the Jews or heathen, it shows that 
the natural mind has no just appreciation of spiritual 
excellence. ; 

II. The import of the name. 
A believer in Christ. 

A lover of Christ. 

An imitator of Christ. 
A servant of Christ. 
An expectant of Christ. 


inh GN 


CHRIST AT THE DOOR OF THE HEART 


“Behold! I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear 
my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will 
sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3: 20. 

I. Consider what Jesus Christ does. He “stands at the 
door.”’ He displays wonderful patience—he stands and 
knocks. Many do not hear. They are insensible. They are 
negligent and undetermined. ‘They fear the world. They are 
influenced by ambition. 

II. What Jesus Christ promises. “If any man hear my 
voice.” 

1. The characters interested in the promise. They who 
by the influence of his Spirit hear his voice, and open 
the door, i.e., who repent, obey his word, and by faith 
receive him into their hearts. 

2. The promise itself. “I will come in to him,”’ i.e., 
be reconciled, grant him pardon and acceptance, com- 
fort, strengthen, and fill him with all spiritual graces. 
When Christ comes he brings peace, for he is the 
prince of peace; joy, for he is the source of joy; hope, 
for he is the foundation of hope; life, for he is the 
cause of life; salvation, for he is the author of sal- 
vation. 


72 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


“T will sup with him and he with me.” By this is intended 
the mutual joy which he has with the believer and the believer 
with him. ‘He will sup with me.’ Christ will cause the 
believer to experience that joy which his grace sheds upon 
the souls who love him, and which arises from a sense of the 
pardon of sin, reconciliation with God, adoption, complete re- 
demption, perfect deliverance and eternal glorification—P. D. 


PART VII: LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


Great by Great Service: “Whoever will be great among you, 
let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief among 
you, let him be your servant.”’ Matt. 20: 26, 27. 

The Serviceable Life: ‘Remember unto me, O my God, for 
good, all that I have done for this people.” Neh. 5: 19. 

Lincoln, the American Great-Heart: “‘Moreover thou shalt 
provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men 
of truth, hating covetousness; and place such men over them.” 
EXT ise V 

Lincoln Was Blest to Bless: ‘““The Lord raised up a de- 
liverer.” Judges 3: 9. 

Lincoln Longed to Promote Peace: ““My soul hath long 
dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace, but when 
I speak, they are for war.” Psa. 34: 14. 

Lincoln a Lover of Peace: ‘Be of good courage, and let us 
play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God; 
and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.” 2 Sam. 
1 pa Be 

Lincoln’s Faith: ‘He endured as seeing him who is in- 
wisiple, / abled: L127; 

The Character of Lincoln: “As a man is, so is his strength.” 
Judges 8:21. 

Lincoln and His Life Lessons: ““The memory of the just 
 DlesSedu. 1 ELOV. 102.7: : 

Lincoln’s Growth Under Pressure: “Cast down, but not 
destroyed.” | 

Prayer for the Nation: ‘Do good in thy good pleasure unto 

Zion, build thou the. walls of Jerusalem.” Psa. 34: 14. 

- . Lincoln’s Patriotism: ‘“‘Zebulun was a people that jeoparded 
_ their lives unto the death.” Judges 5: 18. 
Lincoln, a Lover of Peace: “Seek peace and pursue it.” 


‘Psa. 34: 14. “ 


74 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Lincoln, the Emancipator: “‘The same did God send to be 
a ruler and deliverer.’’ Acts 7:35. 

The Memory of Lincoln: ‘““The memory of the just is 
blessed.”” Prov. 10: 7. 

Lincoln’s Counsel of Courage: ‘‘Be of good courage, and 
let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our 
God; and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.” 2 
Baim rO 12) } 

Lessons from War-Times: “T will hear what God the Lord 
will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people and to his 
saints; but let them not turn again to folly.” Psa. 85: 8. 

Social Peace: ‘See that ye fall not out by the way.’’ Gen. 
45:24. 

The Citizen Prophet: “I have ordained thee a prophet unto 
the nations.” Jeremiah 1: 4. 

Lincoln: the Man and the Message: ‘“The memory of the 
just is blessed.” Prov. 10: 7. 

The Achieving Life: ‘“The same did God send to be a ruler 
and ideliverer,),.; Acts 72:2 5, : 

The Price of Liberty: ‘“‘With a great sum obtained I this 
freedom.” Acts 22:28. 

Lincoln as a Leader: ‘‘Moreover thou shalt provide out of 
all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating 
covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thou- 
sands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of 
tens.” Exodus 18: 21. 


PART VIII: LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


LINCOLN 


“Commit thy way unto Jehovah: trust also in him, and he 
will bring it to pass.” Psa. 37: 5. 

I. The greatness of his work. Seen in: 1. Victory in great 
Civil War. 2. Emancipation of the slaves. 3. Preservation 
of the Union. 

II. In and for all this—his reliance upon God for accom- 
plishing his work (see extract from his letter to Quakers of 
Lowa, and inaugural address). 

Ili. The elements which such reliance furnishes for all 
lives. 1. Strength.—Sir Galahad: 


‘My strength is as the strength of ten, 
Because my heart is pure.”’ 


2. Determination. ‘The spirit in which the power is used. 
3. Courage, especially moral courage. 4. Hope; see Lincoln’s 
second inaugural. 


PATRIOTISM 


‘“‘Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives unto the 
death.” Judges 5:18. 

I. What is patriotism? Love of country, even to the 
utmost of self-sacrifice. 

II. How cultivated? 1. By observance of days which com- 
memorate deeds. Patriots’ Day, Independence Day, Me- 
morial Day. 2. By study of heroic lives; Lincoln, Washing- 
ton, Nathan Hale. 3. By national songs—the “‘Marseillaise,”’ 
“Watch on the Rhine,” ‘‘America,” “God Save the King.” 
4. By appreciating our national advantages. 5. By entering 
into the spirit of our national mission. 


76 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


III. How expressed? 1. By loyal support of a righteous 
government. 2. By contending against any great public evil. 
3. By supporting the movement for good citizenship. 4. By 
home missions. 5. By fostering a true, world-wide mission. 


THE AMERICAN GREAT-HEART 


‘“‘Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able 
men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; 
and place such over them.” Ex. 18: 21. 

I. Lincoln was a man with a great heart, full of human 
affection, sympathizing with the sorrowing and oppressed, 
humble, God-fearing, believing, prayerful. His parents and 
grandparents had been members of the church, religious and 
devout. Mr. Lincoln was outspoken as to his faith in God, 
and in the power of prayer. He said that he gave his heart 
to the Saviour when Gettysburg came. He had laid all be- 
fore God at that crisis as Washington had at Valley Forge. 

II. He was a man who loved righteousness and hated in- 
justice and oppression. God gave him an opportunity, such 
as few men have ever had, for striking down iniquity, and be- 
fore his blow it fell to its death. Most masterfully he exe- 
cuted the duties of his office as chief executive of the nation. 
The trials and sorrows of the people almost broke his heart, 
and the heavy burdens almost pressed him to the ground. He 
was a man whom God mightily used, and whom the people ~ 
tenderly loved and revered. As was said of William of 
Orange: ‘‘While he lived he was the guiding star of a whole 
brave nation, and when he died the little children cried in the 
streets.” 


THE GREATNESS OF LINCOLN 


I. Lincoln was great as a common citizen among the com- 
mon people. His humanitarian heart, ready wit, genuine hon- 
esty, and practical common sense commanded their confidence 
and esteem. He loved the common people, believed in them, 
and was proud to be reckoned as one of them. His quaint 
utterance, “God must be a lover of the common people, or he 
would not have made so many of them,” is proof of this. 


LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES U7 


Ii. Lincoln was great in his magnanimity and patriotism. 
In evidence of this the words of President Roosevelt are to 
the point. He said: “In reading his works and speeches, his 
addresses, one is struck by the fact that as he went higher and 
higher all personal bitterness seemed to die out of him. In 
the Lincoln-Douglas debates one can still catch now and then 
a note of personal antagonism. The man was in the arena, 
and as the blows were given you could see now and then that 
he had a feeling against his antagonist. When he became 
President and faced the crises that he had to face, from that 
time on [| do not think that you can find an expression, a 
speech of Lincoln’s, a word of Lincoln’s, written or spoken, 
in which bitterness is shown to any man. His devotion to the 
cause was so great that he neither could nor would have feel- 
ing against any individual.” 

III. Lincoln was great in his firm conviction that God 
rules in the kingdoms of men, and that in the great crises 
which come to nations he interposes and directs to certain 
results in vindication of truth and righteousness. In proof 
of this take the closing sentences of his second inaugural ad- 
dress: “‘Earnestly do we hope, fervently do we pray that this 
terrible scourge of war may soon be removed, yet if God 
wills that it be prolonged until all the wealth piled by the 
bondman’s two hundreds years of unrequited toil be sunk, 
and every drop of blood drawn by the lash be atoned for by 
one drawn by the sword, yet as was said three thousand years 
ago, so must it still be said: “The judgments of the Lord are 
true and righteous altogether.’ ” 

IV. Lincoln was great as a master in the simple, eloquent 
use of the English language. In this respect his addresses and 
state papers commanded the plaudits of the best critics. As 
a sample we have but to mention his ever memorable Gettys- 
burg address, which has taken, and will ever hold, its place 
as a classic wherever the language is spoken. 

V. Lincoln was great as President. Of his ability as such, 
James Ford Rhodes puts the case admirably as follows: ‘‘Lin- 
coln is the ideal President, in that he led public sentiment, 
represented it, and followed it. ‘I claim not to have con- 
trolled events,’ he said, ‘but confess plainly that events have 
controlled me.’ During his term of office he was one day 


78 _ CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


called ‘very weak,’ and the next ‘a tyrant’; and when his whole | 
work was done, a careful survey of it could bring one only to 
the conclusion that he knew when to follow and when to lead. 
He was in complete touch with popular sentiment, and di 
vined with nicety when he could take a step in advance. He 
made an effort to keep on. good terms with Congress, and he 
differed with that body reluctantly, although, when necessity 
came, decisively. While he had consideration for those who 
did not agree with him, and while he acted always with a 
regard to proportion, he was nevertheless a strong and self- 
confident executive.”’ 

The good and the great, the patriotic, and the God-fearing 
still cherish, and will ever continue to cherish his memory and 
esteem his character as long as men love liberty, truth and 
honesty and the great Republic he saved holds its place among 
the nations of the earth_—R. T. | 


PART IX: WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


The Good Ruler: ‘Thou shalt provide out of all the people 
able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetous- 
ness, and placing such over them to be rulers.”” Ex. 18: 21. 

A Christian Man in Public Life: 2 Chron. 17:3, 43 
29: 27-29. 

The Greatest Greatness: ‘He that is slow to anger is 
better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he 
that taketh a city.” Prov. 16: 32. 

W ashington’s Combination of Strength and Beauty: “Upon 
the top of the pillars was lily work.” 1 Kings 7: 32. 

Patriotic Men the Prop of the Nation: ‘‘How is the strong 
staff broken and the beautiful rod!” Jeremiah 48:17. 

The Nation’s Deliverer: ‘“The men of Israel said unto 
Gideon, rule thou over us, both thou and thy son also, for thou 
hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.” Judges 8: 22. 

Washington’s Wisdom: “‘Now, there was found a poor wise 
man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” Eccl. 9: 15. 

The Just Ruler: “And all Israel feared the king, for they 
saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment.” 1 
Kings 3: 28. 

A Great-Man: “There was none like me before me, neither 
after me shall any rise like unto me.” Solomon. 

A Man of Understanding: “By the good hand of God upon 
us, they brought us a man of understanding.” Ezra 8: 18. 

Sent of God: ‘““The same did God send to be a ruler and 
deliverer.> Acts. 7:35. 

The Discreet and Wise Ruler: “‘Look out a man discreet 
and wise, and set him over the people.” Gen. 41: 33. 

Washington the Model Citizen: ‘‘Wherefore then were ye 
not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?’ Num. 12: 8. 

Washington as a National Asset: ““And I will make of thee 
a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; 


and thou shalt be a blessing.”’ Gen. 12:2. 
79 


80 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The Foresight of Washington: “Yea, thou shalt see thy 
children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” Psa. 128: 6. 

Washington as a Leader: Moreover, thou shalt provide out 
of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, 
hating covetousness; and place such over them.” Ex. 18: 21. 

Washington a Man of Loftiest Purposes: “The Lord spake 
with Moses face to face.” Ex. 33:11. 

The Ever-growing Influence of Washington: “The path of 
the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more 
unto the perfect day.’ Prov. 4:18. 

The Living Name: ‘‘The memory of the just is blessed, but 
the name of the wicked shall rot.” Prov. 10: 7. 

A Study of Heroes: ‘“‘Not by might, nor by power, but by 
my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Zech. 4: 6. 

Washington Our First Citizen: ““Wherefore then were ye 
not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12: 8. 


PART X: WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


THE LIVING WASHINGTON 


Washington is not dead. He has risen to greater influence 
and higher service and by his life will influence thousands for 
their good. 

Washington is invisible, yet potent, and stands to-day be- 
hind senators and representatives. His words are uttered in 
legislative halls and his thoughts are voiced with emphasis in 
many public addresses amid the turbulence of political cam- . 
paigns. As often as we have looked into his benign face and 
listened to his fraternal counsels, our sectional discords have 
disappeared, petty ambitions have subsided, timid doubts have 
vanished and selfish purposes have receded. He stands to-day 
above the din and confusion of the earth’s battlefield and the 
turmoils and contentions of civic strife and life and speaks to 
the heated and scrambling throng and bids us all to be manly, 
thoughtful, patient and considerate, not “like dumb driven 
cattle, but heroes in the strife.” 

I. Asa man, pure and simple, he was many-sided, not with- 
out faults but was richly endowed in the intellectual grasp of 
great questions and possessed rare ability for the solution of 
dificult problems. He understood human nature to a re- 
markable degree and easily secured the unfaltering confidence 
of men. | 

II. As a patriot he combined enthusiasm with sagacity. 
The flame of his enthusiasm burned with ever-increasing light 
upon the altar of his heart. He was not impatient with old 
things and he was not headstrong concerning new ideas. 

III. As a statesman he possessed rare executive ability. 
To handle men is a great gift, but he marshaled his forces 
with remarkable skill. The combination of dignity and inti- 


macy that prevailed in his attitude toward his followers won 
81 


82 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


for him their highest regard and affection, gave him a high 
quality of leadership which made him intrepid in the face of 
the greatest dangers and enabled him to lead where few would 
dare to follow. 

IV. As a soldier he met the best tests. He was never 
rash, but always brave. He was considerate but energetic. 
He was never heard to boast of his own heroism, but his — 
record shows nothing but unremitting valor. He never drewa | 
sword except in defense of liberty and independence and he 
never sheathed it in the presence of tyranny. 

V. Asa Christian he was a happy combination. He united 
morality and piety. He recognized the Christian sources of 
inspiration and guidance and believed in being a faithful and 
loyal disciple of the meek and lowly Nazarene, and an earnest 
and efficient follower of the great Captain of our Salvation. 


—Rev. H. C. Hinps, D.D. 


WASHINGTON AS A LEADER 


“Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people, able 
men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and 
place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers 
of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.’ Exodus 
PSc21. 

No lesson of Washinton? s natal day is louder than the call 
for leadership. | 
The need for the Washington type of leadership is found 

in every sphere of modern life. 

I. Ina democracy leadership must spring from the ranks— 

“out of all the people.” 

IJ. Leadership must have its basis in ability wedded to 
character—‘‘able men such as fear God,”’ etc. 

III. The rule exercised must be scaled according to com- 
petence—“rulers of thousands,” etc. 

Washington helped to make it possible for every American 
to attain to influential and honorable leadership in manifold 
forms of service. 

The newest field for leadership is among our immigrants. 


WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES 83 


WASHINGTON EVER OUR FIRST CITIZEN 


‘Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my 
servant Moses?” Num. 12:8. 

America gave to France a statue of Lafayette of heroic 
size, but she gave to the world the character of Washington 
in its colossal proportions, and the world has erected its lofty 
pedestal. 

I. It is high. Gladstone said: “If among all the pedestals 
supplied by history for eminent public characters I saw one 
higher than all the rest, and if I were asked to name its 
fittest occupant, I should at once name Washington.” 

II. He incarnates our loftiest patriotic thought. Great 
forces focus in a person, and from him radiate with clearer 
power, and thus great men are at once the effect and cause 
of the events of their time. They mediate between principle 
and practice; between ideas and actions. Of such leaders of 
the world’s thought and action, Washington was preéminent. 

III. His eminence, being from inherent worth, is more and 
more readily acknowledged, not with the hero worship of a 
myth, but with the deliberate judgment of careful history. 

IV. The balance and poise of his character were perhaps 
his most striking characteristic. A lifelong aristocrat, he was 
beloved by the people; with very decided opinions on govern- 
ment, he was twice elected President unanimously.—REv. 
FREDERICK NOBLE. 


WASHINGTON A MAN OF LOFTIEST PURPOSES 


“The Lord spake with Moses face to face.” Exod. 33: 11. 

The secret of Washington’s abiding hold upon the popular 
imagination and his abiding influence is, first of all, in the 
moral seriousness of his life. 

I. While he was a man of Ennely practical habit of 
mind, yet life and life’s work were to him matters of solemn 
concern. 

Il. He carried this seriousness into all his rleeeians 
occupations. Nothing was little or trifling to him. 

III. This made him do his best in everything to which he 
set his hand, and when his power and influence became mani- 


84 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


fest, he was kept from the possibility either a trifling or of 
self- Seeking. 


THE EVER-GROWING INFLUENCE OF 
: WASHINGTON 


“The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth 
more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18. | 

While strong in his own generation, Washington is stronger 
even in the judgment of the generations which have followed. 
After the lapse of a century he is better appreciated, more 
perfectly understood, more thoroughly venerated and loved 
than when he lived. 

I. He remains an ever-increasing influence for good in 
every part and sphere of action of the republic. 

Il. He is recognized as not only the most far- sighted 
statesman of his generation, but as having an almost prophetic 
vision. 

III. He built not alone for his own time, but for the great 
future; and pointed the right solution of many of the prob- 
lems which were to arise in the years to come. 


THE CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON 


‘‘As the man is so is his strength.” Judges 8:21. 

Though in many respects Washington was not different © 
from other men, for he was but a man, and his virtues com- 
mon virtues, yet these virtues were'so many and so combined 
as to make a wonderfully well-rounded and symmetrical char- 
acter. As Emerson said: “He stood four-square to every wind 
that blew.” ah 

I. Consider, first, some of the elements that entered into 
the forming of his character. 

: 1. He had good home training. A man asked the secret 
of his success, replied: “I had a friend.’? Wash- 
ington could say, “I had a mother.” 

2. He made the most of himself. He believed in down- 
right hard work. He sought an education and got it. 
His success was the result of no sudden flash of luck 
or triumph of genius, but of work. 


WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES — 85 


a 


He had the physical and material qualities needed for 
his providential work. Nature gave him a powerful 
frame, a clear eye, a quick hand. 

He was a man of intense vigor. There is such a 
thing as strength without vigor. But real vigor char- 
acterized his whole make-up. This it was which 
helped him to meet privations, and which sustained 
him in the face of opposition. 


II. Consider, secondly, some of the traits or qualities of 
his character. 


I. 


Ke 
6. 


His modesty. He always felt that his countrymen 
rated him too high. When chosen Commander-in- 
Chief of the United Colonies’ army, he asked every 
gentleman present to remember his avowal of his own 
sense of unfitness; and his letters to his wife and 
family prove his sincerity. | 
His sublime perseverance. Defeat could not shake, 
nor disaster quell, his determination. Indeed, they 
only developed his energy and persistence. 

Near akin to this we mention his undaunted courage. 
Cautious, brave, unfearing, unflinching, he could, and 
did, stand alone at times when every one seemed 
against him. 

His patriotism. This was too marked to need men- 
tion. 

Another quality for which his memory is most cher- 
ished was his absolute integrity. 

The crowning element in his character was his faith 
in God. 


Cherish his memory. Imitate his example. Thank God 
for our nation. Resolve on patriotic devotion to everything 
which can advance our beloved country. 


A STUDY IN HEROES 


“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith 
the Lord of hosts.”’ Zech. 4: 6. 

These sublime words are true, not because Jehovah uttered 
them, but Jehovah uttered them because they are true. Were 
it not so, and had they never been spoken, neither Wash- 


86 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


ington nor Lincoln would have become what they were in them- 
selves, and what they became to the land that gave them birth. 
Perhaps it is not without significance that two of the greatest 
men the world has ever known were born in the same coun- 
try, the same month of the year, and grappled successfully 
with the two greatest crises in that country’s history. Nor is 
it without significance that they were born at opposite ends 
of the month, the one earlier, the other in the latter half, as 
they also were representatives of the two extremes of social 
conditions, Washington being rich, handsome, commanding in 
personality and position, Lincoln, coming from the ranks of 
poverty, awkward, ungainly, fighting all his life against fearful 
odds; yet each attained the same proud eminence, each ac- 
quired the same beloved title of ‘Father’; the one, “Father 
of his country,” the other, our beloved “Father Abraham.” 

I. The first great lesson to be learned from the study of 
these noble characters is the truth that God is no respecter 
of persons when it comes to choosing the right man for the 
right place. There is an old Chinese proverb to this effect: 
“God shows what he thinks of money by the kind of people 
he gives it to.”’ Of course, the inference intended to be drawn 
from this bit of worldly wisdom is that the Almighty regards 
with lofty scorn the wealth of this world, because it is dis- 
tributed in large proportions among the utterly selfish, unthink- 
ing, unprincipled men and women of the world, who are lovers 
of pleasure and of themselves rather than of humanity. But 
there is much fallacy mixed with the sometimes truth of the 
old proverb, and many notable cases where its error is over- 
shadowed by the noble integrity of those who have come into 
great wealth. Washington, although far from being a rich 
man as the world to-day counts riches, was yet a man of posi- — 
tion and wealth for his time. “Born to the purple,” he 
abandoned his home of ease and luxury for the vicissitudes 
of camp life, choosing, like one of old, to share with his fellow 
countrymen the suffering and hardships of a Valley Forge if 
thereby he might lead them on to the victories and liberty 
awaiting them as a free and independent nation, and thereby 
and forever winning the love and undying gratitude of a people 
destined to become the most glorious nation in the whole 
earth. 


WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY SERMON OUTLINES 87 


There is also a Scotch saying: ‘When God would make 
use of a man, he always opens the door’; signifying that no 
matter what apparent obstacles may intervene, they must all 
give way before God’s ultimate purpose to use the man he 
deems necessary to the hour; and so we behold an Abraham 
Lincoln born in the ranks of poverty, awkward, ungainly in 
appearance, homely as to features, acquiring an education in 
the face of appalling difficulties, slowly, laboriously, but stead- 
ily rising to the grand heights to which destiny had called him, 
until he, too, has reached the summit, where he stands crowned 
with the grateful love and homage, not only of his own coun- 
trymen, but of the whole race whose shackles he has broken, 
bidding them go forth free men in the name of him who hath 
made of one blood all nations of the earth. Has it ever 
occurred to you that neither of these two great heroes of 
our land could have successfully filled the place of the other? 

II. Each of these in his turn rising to meet the great crises 
in our nation’s history did so because of what he himself was 
and of what he had to contribute to the nation’s need at his 
own time. A Lincoln in the place of Washington in the be- 
ginning of our national history would have proved a failure, 
though even then slavery existed as an institution, and Wash- 
ington himself had slaves; though possessed of all the noble 
characteristics of exalted manhood, he would have been but 
poorly equipped to meet the exigencies and solve the problems 
of the martyred Lincoln’s time. But the same spirit of the 
living God animated each and led each in his own way and 
time on to glorious victory.—'‘My Spirit saith the Lord of 
Hosts.” 

III. Can we not read a third lesson in this brief study of 
our nation’s heroes—that only as that Spirit dominates the life 
of an individual or of a nation can either rise to the grand 
opportunities that some time or other is sure to demand of us 
the best we have to give? 

IV. Still further, do we not learn from the history of the 
nations that the Judge of all the earth does right, chooses 
right, makes never a mistake, but does all things well? May 
we not safely entrust all our interests, personal and national, 
unto Him whose name is Love. 


88 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


WASHINGTON 


“Thy gentleness hath made me great.” Psa. 18:35. 

I. His enduring fame, shown: 1. By observance of the day. 
2. By Gladstone’s opinion. 3. By great monument at Wash- 
ington. 

II. Elements of BeHeenality on which his fame rests: — 

1. Natural ability great. 2. Goodness, without which no true ~ 
greatness. 3. Capacity for prowrhe with Braddock, as gen- 
eral, and as president. 4. Powers of endurance—Valley 
Forge. 5. Symmetry; character matches form. 6. Unselfish- 
ness—compare with Napoleon. 
_ III. Greatness of fame: 1. Father of his country. 2. “First 
in war,” etc. Compare with Grant the soldier, Sumner the 
statesman, Garfield the beloved, Lincoln the martyr. Last 
alone equals him. 


WASHINGTON AS A NATIONAL ASSET 


“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless 
thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a bless- 
ING ATERUMT 2h 2. 

A text as true of Washington as of Abram. 

Great men have ever been a nation’s chief asset. 

I. Washington is the gold ore from which our American | 
nation is made. What he was and did and represents is of 
the nature of this republic. 

II. In memory of Washington is the coin current of our 
country, of which a new issue is uttered on his every natal 
day, by so much enriching the national life. 

III. The luster that Washington has lent to this land of 
ours in the world has given America a worth of international 
quality and extent. 

Let our wealth become increasingly what George Wash- 
ington meant us to be, until in moral values America is the 
world’s banker. 


PART XI: PALM SUNDAY TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


The Triumphal Entry: Mark 11:1. I. The occasion of 
this homage. II. The scene of this homage. III. The of- 
ferers of this homage. IV. The actions of this homage. 

Religious Excitement: ‘‘And they spread their garments in 
the way.’ Mark 11:8. I. Has its sphere of usefulness. 
II. But it is a mistake to regard emotional excitement as 
the very essence and substance of religion. 

The Royal Procession: “he multitudes that went before, 
and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of 
David,” etc. Matt. 21:9. | 

Entire Consecration: ‘“The Lord hath need.” Matt. 21: 3. 
The Lord hath need of you. I. Your prayers. II. Your 
praises. III. Your talents. | 

The King Comes to His Capital: John 12: 12-16. I. The 
King’s person. II. The King’s credentials. Came by divine 
appointment. Came as predicted. Came in humility and 
righteousness—indisputable tokens of his claim. III. The 
King’s welcome. The multitudes. Their homage. Their 
acclaim, ‘“‘Hosanna.” IV. The King’s attendants. Disciples, 
etc. V. The King’s enemies. Pharisees, etc. The certainty 
that the world will ultimately be won to Christ. 

Christ as King: ‘“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, 
nor a law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; 
and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.’ Gen. 
49: 10. 

The Royal Christ: “Yet have I set my king upon my holy 
hill of Zion.” Psa. 62:2. 

His Final Authority: “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O 
most mighty.” Psa. 45:3. 

The Kingdom Set Up: “In the days of those nie shall the 
God of heaven set up a kingdom.” Dan. 2: 44. 

A True Inscription: ‘And the writing was, Jesus of Naz- 
areth the King of the Jews.” John 19: 19. 

89 


™*. 
v4 


90 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The Prince of Life: “‘And killed the Prince of Life, whom 
God hath raised from the dead.” Acts 3:15. 

Behold Thy King: “Behold thy king cometh unto thee, 
meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” 
Matt."21: 5: : 

The Glory of the King: “Now unto the King eternal, im- 
mortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for 
ever andever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 1:17. 

Who is This That Cometh from Edom? ‘‘Who is this 
that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?”’ 
PSAs LORNA 

The Commencement of Christ’s Coronation Procession: 
Mark 10: 46-52. 

The Throne and the Rainbow: Rev. 4: 3. 

A Lesson in Obedience: Matt. 21: 1-17. 

Palm Sunday as a Decision Day: Matt. 21: 11. 

Christ’s Entrance into Jerusalem: ‘Much people that were 
come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was eit 
to Jerusalem,” etc. John 12:12, 13. 

Christ’s Lamentation over fare a ‘He beheld the he: 
and wept over it.”” Luke 19: 

Christ’s Popularity: codes blessed is he that cometh — 
in the name of the Lord.” Mark 11:9. 

Temple-Cleansing: ‘‘When he had looked around.” Mark 
TEs ‘Lt: 

Preparation for Christ: “Ye shall find a colt.” Mark — 
i Sa 

Three Contrasts: Matt. 21:12. ' | 

Christ’s Entrance into Jerusalem: “‘Much people that were 
come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to 
Jerusalem,” etc. John 12: 12, 13. 

Palm Sunday Lessons: “In this place is one greater than the 
temple.” Matt. 12:6. | 

The Enthroned Christ: “When the Son of man shall come 
in his glory.” Matt. 25:31. 

Times of Visitation: ‘‘Because thou knewest not the time 
of thy visitation.” Luke 19:44. I. In the period of youth. 
II. Special influences in connection with services in the sanc- 
tuary. III. Visits to the heart by the Holy Spirit. At home, 
in quiet chamber, out under the stars—God’s visit. IV. Provi- 
dential events which may be regarded as a time of visitation. 


A, 


PART XII: PALM SUNDAY SERMON 
OUTLINES 


THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST 


‘“‘Hfe hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, 
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Rev. 19: 16. 

Palm Sunday is the day of kingship—the kingship of Christ. 
Isaiah gives us the promise of a coming Christ. John the 
Baptist proclaims an approaching Christ. Paul preaches the 
gospel of a Christ crucified. John gives us the vision of 
Christ enthroned. 

I. Who is this royal conqueror? As we see him in the 
manger at Bethlehem, or as a child in the temple, or at his 
baptism at the Jordan, or on the cross, he seems not particu- 
larly kingly. 

II. Where is his throne? Where lies his kingdom? We 
must remember the greatest kings have been uncrowned, and 
their kingdoms have been invisible. 

III. Were they disappointed, were they misled, were they 
false prophets—those who predicted that when Jesus came, 
he should come as a king? There are psalmists who declared 
concerning the Messiah, “A scepter of righteousness is the 
scepter of thy kingdom.” David knew how small a thing is 
political kingship. And he knew by so muchas he had spiritual 
elevation how incomparably greater is royalty of intellect and 
character. John says that the kingly Christ shall serve as 
well as save. 

IV. Phases of his royalty. There may be more appeal- 
ing phases of the life of Christ, but nothing is more admirable 
than his self-control. Self-control and courage may be merely 
passive, but goodness must be active. It is constructive in its 
nature. Benevolence is a flowing stream. Kingship is a 
matter of power and there is no power so like omnipotence 
as the power of goodness at work.— REv. CHARLES CARROLL 


ALBERTSON, D.D. 
91 


92 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY 


“Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh 
in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Matt. 
PTO; 

Several ideas were expressed in this action. 

I. Disciples must prepare the way for Jesus. He cannot go 
through the world on a triumphant march unless we go with 
him and before him and make a path for him. Human in- 
fluences may open the way along which the Spirit of Christ 
gets into human hearts and into the world. 

II. This service costs sacrifice. Garments must be cast 
down to make the way along which Christ walks. ‘Things 
that are good and precious to us, our possessions, time and 
talents, our garments, the very necessities of life, life itself, 
must be cast down. Nothing is too costly to become a part 
of this path. ‘The feet of Jesus should not touch the common 
dust, but should press upon our most precious things. 

III. And this path should be a path of beauty. ‘The high- 
way of salvation along which Jesus walks should not seem 
to be a hard and dusty road, but it should be so carpeted that 
the world will see it is a way of pleasantness and a path of 
peace. ) | 
[V. The most prominent feature of this procession was its 
enthusiasm. ‘These people were not afraid to shout. They 
believed in Jesus with all their might and expressed their de- — 
votion in oriental outbursts of joy. They were not ashamed 
of their King, and when the city was stirred and shaken with 
excitement and the question of the hour was, ‘‘Who is this ?”’ 
they boldly answered, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Naz- 
areth of Galilee.” It took some courage to say that up in 
Jerusalem. ‘The people grew wild in their enthusiasm and 
the hills near and far caught up and flung back their glad 
hosannas. ‘This is a spirit that is evaporating out of our 
religious life and that we need to keep and intensify.—REv. 
James H. SNowpen, D.D. 


THE LORD HATH NEED OF YOU 


‘The Lord hath need of him.” Mark 11: 3. 
I. The Lord hath need of you. 


PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 93 


Of your prayers. 
Of your praises. 
Of your talents. 
He may need your most cherished thing to which 
your heart holds most fast. * 
II. The natural heart’s reply to this claim. 
1. Unbelief denies the claim. 
2. Weakness hesitates until the opportunity is past. 
3. Stimulation seems to do, but does not. 
4. Selfishness hugs her own.—J. V. 


WN 


THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY 


John 12: 12-26. 

I. Jesus Christ is the true King, and is riding triumphantly 
through the ages. 

II. As these people cast their garments before Jesus as he 
rode in triumph, so we should cast our talents, our money, our 
time, all that we have, before him, and do all that we can to 
aid his cause, and hasten his success. It is a great privilege to 
have part in his triumph. 

III. Enthusiasm is a good thing for every one, for any 
cause that is worthy of enthusiasm. A noble enthusiasm up- 
lifts the soul. Christianity is not dull, lifeless, insipid. There 
never has been anything on God’s earth so adapted to kindle 
all the enthusiasm of the soul, and to make it an enduring 
flame. 

IV. It should be the desire of every heart to have a more 
personal, intimate acquaintance with Jesus. 

V. We become acquainted with Jesus, by loving him, by 
working with him for his cause, by becoming like him in 
character, by studying his life and words. 

VI. We should welcome every chance to make others 
acquainted with our Master.—F. N. P. 


POPULAR ATTRACTIONS 
Mark 11: I-11. 


Here is a multitude: 
I. Attracted by marvelous intelligence. 


4 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


II. Following the example of the few. 
III. Rendering regal honor to the son of a carpenter. 
IV. Looking for material aggrandizement. 


V. In a little while exchanging “Hosanna” for “Crucify 
Him.” —F. W. | 


SONGS OR SILENCE? 


“Behold thy King cometh unto thee.” Matt. 21: 5. 

I. Jesus was the King of the Jews. His Hebrew lineage 
was royal, without flaw or break. He was announced to the 
shepherds, by the heavenly hosts, as a king. He was heralded 
to the Hebrew nation as king, by the prophet from the wilder- 
ness. He claimed to be a king. He had all the personal gra- 
ciousness and power of a king. 

II. Here is the great climax. The prophecies of centuries 
come to ahead. The King, long promised and looked for, has 
come, and is now riding into the royal city. How will he be 
received? 

III. There is no doubt about the reception by the multi- 
tudes. ‘They break branches from the trees, and strew the 
roadway for his coming. ‘Then one man pulls off his gar- 
ment and adds it to the green, and another, till the King’s 
colt is walking over a carpet of nature’s beauty and man’s 
woven love combined. ‘Then they begin singing, ‘‘Hosanna. 
Blessed be the King!” 

A great crowd comes out of the city to meet and greet 
Jesus. ‘They likewise carpet the road, and pick up the song. 
And the two crowds sing back and forth, answering each 
other, joyous antiphonal music, a truly Hebrew and a truly 
royal scene. This is the answer of the common crowd to 
the King’s claim. 

IV. But—but, as they come to the city, an ominous silence 
greets him. The leaders look. They know what it all means. 
These leaders are the nation, technically, officially and prac- 
tically. “They understand perfectly the meaning of his action 
of so riding into the nation’s capital. And they understand 
the crowd’s action, too; and more, they understand Jesus’ 
acceptance of the crowd’s homage. And this was clear. 

But, their own resolution was as set, in a rigid coldness. 





PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 95 


Their silence was their answer, their rejection as positive 
and absolute as rejection could be. It really began in the 
silent contemptuous rejection of John’s testimony to their of- 
ficial deputation at the beginning (John 1:19-28). They 
would not accept this Jesus. The King is rejected by the 
nation.—S. D. Gorpon, D.D. 


THE CONQUERING KING 


Rev. 19:11-16. Scripture Lesson, Psa. 2 and Daniel | 
2: 44-49. 

Introduction. The ideas and ideals of Jesus are winning 
to-day. In spite of present appearances they will continue to 
win. The vision of this text was given to assure us of that 
in dark days. 

1. This is a vision of a present reality. ‘These pictures of 
the book of Revelation are to give us glimpses of the events of 
the present age. Each portrays some particular aspect of it. 

2. The central figure of this vision is Jesus of Nazareth, 
glorified. Verses 11 to 13 are the description that identifies 
him. Faithful and true are attributes. The Word of God. 
Strange appellation that no man but himself perfectly compre- 
hends, his vesture dipped in blood signifying his destroying his 
enemies. Riding upon a white horse signifying his conquering 
progress. 

3. The title upon his armor and his garments, “King of 
kings and Lord of lords.’ In this he assumes his right to 
govern and indicates his relations to the governments of the 
earth as well as individuals. 

4. The forces of his conflict are “the sword of his mouth” 
which is the teaching he gave to men. We see to-day how 
men will and do fight for those ideals of democracy and in- 
dividual worth and freedom that are the direct product of 
his teachings. Those forces of the redeemed which accompany 
him in white robes are the heavenly staff who witness the 
triumph of heaven’s -King. | 

5. The vision shows him engaged in the conflict of the ages. 
This is the aspect of the King toward his enemies. It is he 
that is on the side of righteousness. This conflict will con- 
tinue so long as the high priests of paganism proclaim from 


96 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


the temples of earth, “Odin who is greater than Javeh,” and 

it will be the bloody conflict of national warfare as long as any 

ruler responds, “‘Amen.” It was of this that he spoke when 

he said, ‘‘I came not to send peace but a sword.” 

_ Conclusion. From looking at this vision there leaps to our 
minds the words of the second psalm, “Kiss the Son lest he 

be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is 


kindled. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”— 


Rev. WILLIAM Parsons, D.D. 


LESSONS FOR TO-DAY FROM CHRIST'S 
TRIUMPHAL ENTRY |. 


1. Christ, though disguised and poor, is yet King of this 
world. 

2. But he is a Prince of peace, and his victories are by the 
weapons of peace. | 

3. Whatever the Lord has need of we should gladly give 
to his service. 

4. The Lord has need of the humblest of his creatures. 

5. Christ inspires the religious feelings with gladness. 

6. Christ encourages the expression of religious feeling. 

7. Even in the midst of the triumph, there are sins and 
sorrows to weep over. | 

8. Christ is yet to come triumphant over all. 

g. The triumph is to be by the arts of peace, not of war. 


GARMENT GIVERS 


“And they spread their garments before him.” Mark 
LL 5. 

Have you not sometimes wished that you had been there 
to see our Lord as he rode into Jerusalem on that long ago 
day, while his followers out of love and loyalty “spread their 
garments before him’’? 

In another way you may see him this year, as ‘along the 
King’s highway” he goes forth with our missionaries to enter 
heathen cities and homes across the sea. 

And you may show your love and loyalty to him by spread- 


~., 








PALM SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 97 


ing at his dear feet some of your garments (or the value of 
them). Will you? 

One garment—not because you must, but because you want 
to do it for this work in the Orient so dear to the heart of 
our Lord—will you give it? 

It might be a hat, small or large, gay or somber, costing— 
oh, just what you pay for yours. For his dear sake will you 
give the worth of that? 

Long ago Sir Walter Raleigh spread his handsome cloak 
before his queen to protect her feet from the mud of the 
street. What about the coat you will buy this season? Could 
you send the worth of it to protect our queens, brave mission- 
aries, girls who ‘‘for the sake of the Name” fare forth to 
walk mid the filth and slime of heathenism? 

The second coat, the second blouse, the second suit! How 
their worth would protect these queens—from the wild ani- 
mals as we wall their compounds, from poisonous insects as 
we screen their houses, from sun rays as we build their 
verandas, or from disease as we remove unsanitary conditions! 

Is it too much to hope for the worth of some sets of furs 
($50 or $100)? The second set would warm your heart as 
the first could not begin to warm your shoulders! 

If not coats of fur, what about the pretty shoes that have 
been your pride and delight. The second pair “‘spread be- 
fore him” would entitle you to that old compliment, “How 
beautiful . . . are the feet of him that publisheth peace!” 

Then the gloves—oh, the gloves—short, long, silk, kid, 
washable, wearable, ‘‘givable’! Why not hundreds and hun- 
dreds to spread before our King? 

Still he rides on, pausing now and then “‘to sit over against 
the treasury” and to note the women and girls who share with 
him the best garment they can afford. Still he says: 


‘T gave, I gave my life for thee, 
What hast thou given to me?” 


PART XIII: GOOD FRIDAY TEXTS 
“AND THEMES 


The Word of F Bae “Father, forgive them, for they _ 


know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34. 

The W ord of Salvation: “To-day shalt thou be with me in 
paradise.” Luke 23: 43. 

The Word of Love: ‘Woman, behold thy son . . . behold 
thy mother.” John 19: 26. 

The Word of Atonement: “My God, my God, why hast 
thou forsaken me.” Matt. 27: 46. 

The Word of Physical Suffering: “T thirst.” John 19: 28. 

The Word of Triumph: “It is finished.” John 19: 30. 

The Word of Reunion: “Father, into thy hands I commend 
my spirit.” Luke 23: 46. 

First word from the cross—the word of charity: “Father, 
forgive them.” 

Second word from the cross—the word of mercy: “To-day 
shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” 

Third word from the cross—the word of filial piety: “Be- 
hold thy Son! . . . Behold thy mother!” 

Fourth word from the cross—the word of agony: “I thirst.” 

Fifth word from the cross—the word of humanity: ‘““My 
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” 

Sixth word from the cross—ihe word of perfection: “It is 
finished.” 

Seventh word from the cross—the word of Sonship: 
‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” 

The Word of Intercession: “Father, forgive them; for they 
know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34. 
_ The Word of Pardon: “To-day shalt thou be with me in 
Paradise.” Luke 23: 43. 

The Word of Care: ‘‘Woman, behold thy son! ... Be- 
hold thy mother!” John 19: 26, 27. 

The Word of Loneliness: “My God, my God, why hast 
thou forsaken me?” Mark 15:34; Matt. 27: 46. 

98 





GOOD FRIDAY TEXTS AND THEMES 99 


The Word of Need: “\ thirst.” John 19: 28. 

The Word of Victory: “It is finished.” John 19: 30. 

The Word of Trust: ‘Father, into thy hands I commend 
my spirit.” Luke 23: 46. 

Lessons from the Crucifixion: ‘And they crucified him.” 
Wratts 272335; 

Watchers by the Cross: Luke 23: 34-38. 

Jesus on the Cross: ‘And the people stood beholding.”’ 
PUEker2 329 53 | 

The Meaning of the Cross: “I, if I be lifted up, will draw 
all men unto me.” Luke 23: 21. 

The Solemn Spectacle: ‘‘The people stood beholding.” 
Luke 23: 35. 

The Voice of the Cross: ‘There they crucified him.” Luke 


224 333' 

The Crucifixion: “There they crucified him, and the male- 
factors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.” 
Euke 23: 33. | 

The First Good Friday: ‘Who his own self bare our sins 
in his own body on the tree,” etc. 1 Peter 2:24. 

The Atonement: “Be ready always to give an answer to 
every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, 
With meekness|and fear. 7 Peter's: 15. 

Groups at the Cross and Why They Were There: “And 
they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that 
it might be fulfilled,” etc. Matt. 27: 35-43. 

Man’s Unbelief: ‘They cried, saying, Crucify him! Cru- 
eify him 1)”: Luke 23:21. 

The Title on the Cross: John 19: 10. 

The Man of Sorrows: ‘‘A man of sorrows, and acquainted 
with grief.” Isa. 53:3. 

The Meaning of Christ s Agony: ‘ T, if I be lifted up, will 
draw all men unto me.” John 12: 32. 


PART XIV: GOOD FRIDAY SERMON 
OUTLINES 


THE CROSS OF CHRIST 


“There they crucified him, and with him two others, on 
either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote 
a title also,’’ etc.” John 19:'17-22.- 

I. Under the cross. 

1. The weary pilgrim—Jesus. Exhausted by the agony. 
Suffering through scourging. Burdened with the 
weight. Degraded by the tablet. 

2. The varied attendance—robbers, soldiers, etc. 

II. Upon the cross. Jesus. Jesus in the midst. On either 
side a crucified robber proclaiming him the worst of the three. 
The nails. The pain. A spectacle of woe. Priests and people 
mocked his misery. 

III. Above the cross. The title, verse 19. 

1. Its conspicuous position—seen by all. 

2. Its threefold language—to be read by all. 

3. Its providential use—to attest to all. 

a. Christ’s true humanity, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 
b. His Messianic dignity, ‘King of the Jews.” 

c. Israel’s sin. Had crucified their Sovereign. 

d. ‘The world’s hope. He was the Saviour of men. 


IV. Beneath the cross. Gambling for the Saviour’s. 


clothes, soldiers fulfilled prophecy. Verses AR UG YY. 
1. Heartless cruelty. 
2. Moral insensibility. 
3. Appalling criminality. 
4. Unconscious instrumentality. 
V. Near the cross. The Galilean women; the post of 
love. Verse 25. 
1. Their names. The Marys and Salome. 


2. Their positions. By the cross. Indicating courage— 
100 





GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 101 


not afraid of the soldiers. Their fidelity, in contrast 
with the male disciples, who forsook him and fled. 
Their affection. Their sympathy—intending to con- 
sole him, as they doubtless did. 
3. Their privilege—a gracious opportunity of hearing 
his last words. 
The heroism of the women was inspired by faith and love. 
The startling contrasts of life—the soldiers and the women. 
The power which lies in the cross to reveal human hearts.— 


ae Wuitetaw, D.D. 


WATCHERS BY THE CROSS 


Luke 23: 34-38. 

I. The friendly watchers, who were learning lessons that 
would bless all their future life. 

Il. The unfriendly watchers, who were ill-treating him who 
was dying to save them from sin and death. 


THE WATCHERS AROUND THE CROSS 


‘And sitting down they watched him there.” Matt. 27: 36. 
The varied types of watchers around the cross. 

I. The careless watch of the soldiers. 

II. The jealous watch of the enemies. 

III. ‘The anxious watch of the women. 

IV. The wondering watch of the angels on high. 


THE GROUP AROUND THE CROSS 


‘And sitting down they watched him there.” Matt. 27: 36. 

The scene at the crucifixion. What Jesus saw from the 
cross. Compare Tissot’s painting. 

1. The Roman soldiers. The careless, indifferent, un- 
seeing. | | 

2. The faithful disciples. Sympathetic, seeing, loving 
friends. 

3. The curious watchers. The pleasure-seekers and intel- 
lectually curious. 


102 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


4. The persecutors, Scribes and Pharisees. Their taunts 


are testimonies to him. 
“What is our attitude beneath the cross ?”’ 


“Beneath the Cross of Jesus 
I fain would take my stand.” 


BEHOLD THE MAN! 


“Behold the man!”’ John 19: 5. 

I. The feelings with which these words were and may be 
uttered. 

1.\. Pity: 

2. Mockery. 
auPaith: 

4. Admiration. 

II. Let us by faith behold the Christ. 
Behold the Man of dignity. 
Behold the Man of humility. 
Behold the Man of purity. 
Behold the Man of suffering. 
Behold the Man of glory. 


wmPoON H 


LESSONS FROM THE CRUCIFIXION 


‘“‘And they crucified him.” Matt. 27:35. 

1. The deed transforms the place. Calvary, the place of 
execution, has become the center of the world’s history and 
the world’s salvation. “The great central event in all history 
is the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The 
centuries circle round the cross.” 

2. The cost of salvation smites all indifference to religion. 
If Christ was willing to die that we might be saved, what 
ought not we to do? 

3. Those that watch Christ may find in him a King, a 
Redeemer, an Example, or, if they themselves are bad, only 
a subject for mockery and insult. Which company shall we 
join? 

4. The cross expresses God’s feelings toward sin, his readi- 
ness to forgive sin, the terrible evil and danger of sin that 





g¢ 
GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 103 


costs such a sacrifice for deliverance from it. No one would 
suffer so much to save others from a slight evil or little 
danger. 

5. The cross declares, in “letters that can be read from the 
stars,’ God’s love to man. God did not put punishment upon 
an innocent person. ‘The atonement on the cross was a vol- 
untary sacrifice. When the Greeks were besieging Troy, and 
met with ill success, the priest Calchas told them that the only 
way to appease the offended goddess, and gain the victory, was 
to sacrifice to Diana, Iphigenia, the beautiful daughter of 
Agamemnon. And these brave men of old are said to have 
taken her by strategy and force, and brought this innocent 
girl to the altar to slay her. This sacrifice (though she was 
rescued) was mean and unjust beyond words to express. But 
when any persons have offered themselves, as Horatius and 
his comrades at the bridge of Rome, or the nobles of Calais 
to Edward the Sixth, the sacrifice has been the height of hero- 
ism. ‘The sacrifice expressed the highest love possible. 

6. The cross furnishes every possible motive for turning 
from sin, touching the heart with love, showing our danger, 
giving us hope of forgiveness and life, teaching the law of 
duty, which prefers death to failure or neglect. It shows the 
value of our souls, the value of salvation, and the worth of 
eternal life in heaven.—P. 


THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS 


We may well believe that all of our Lord’s words as he 
hung upon the cross have been preserved. In a very wonder- 
ful way the seven utterances that have come down to us repre- 
sent the seven most important phases of Christ’s character 
and work. 


The Word of F orgiveness 

First word: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not 
what they do.” Luke 23: 34. 

The Word of Forgiveness. This was probably spoken as 
the cross, with Christ nailed to it, ‘was lifted up and planted 
in the ground, with a rough shock of indescribable agony.” 
“He hastened to apply the first outgushing of that redeeming 


104 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


blood.’”? His coming to earth was that he might prove God’s 
readiness to forgive men, and now he includes in that readi- 
ness even his murderers, the harsh soldiers, Annas, Caiaphas, — 
Herod, Pilate, and us, too, when by our sins we “‘crucify the 
Son of God afresh.” 


The Word of Salvation. 

Second word: ‘“To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.”’ 
Luke }23 143% 

The Word of Salvation, spoken about noon. One of the 
robbers, moved by Christ’s bearing and his words of tender 
forgiveness, and perhaps having some previous knowledge of | 
him, rebuked the railing of the other robber, and begged for 
Christ’s help into eternal happiness. How ready was Christ 
to grant it! He had come for that one thing, to seek and 
save the lost. 


The Word of Love. 

Third Word: ‘‘Woman, behold thy son... behold thy 
mother.”’ John 19: 26. 

The Word of Love. Joseph, judging from the silence of 
the record, had died long before, and Mary was a widow. — 
Some have held that Christ addressed Mary respectfully but: 
vaguely as ‘‘Woman,” “Lady,” because had he called her 
“Mother,” she would have been exposed to the rough taunts . 
of the brutal soldiers. Others see in the words, “‘And from 
that hour the disciple took her unto his own home,” an indi- 
cation of Christ’s desire that Mary should at once be led away 
by John, and spared the further agony of watching him. 
‘‘Tohn’s devotion to his dying Lord—alone of the disciples — 
exposed to the peril of the cross—is thus abundantly recom- 
pensed. As John’s was the greatest personal love it was 
honored with the largest earthly requital.”’ 


The Word of Atonement. 

Fourth word: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken 
me?” Matt. 27:46. 

The Word of Atonement, wherein the Son of God entered 
the deepest pit of human woe, the sense of abandonment and 
utter loss, and thus became completely at one with our human- 





GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 105 


ity. It was spoken toward the end of that mysterious dark- 
ness that seized the country from noon till three o’clock. ‘The 
Son of God felt as if he had been deserted by his Father. It 
was the darkening of his human soul, not the hiding of God’s 
countenance.” ‘“The divine horror of that moment is un- 
fathomable by human soul. It was blackness of darkness. 
And yet he would believe. Yet he would hold fast. God 
was his God yet. My God—and in the cry came forth vic- 
tory.” 


The Word of Physical Suffering. 

Fifth word: “I thirst.” John 19: 28. 

The Word of Physical Suffering, as the fourth was the 
word of spiritual suffering. Christ’s thirst must have been 
torturing, his body exposed, almost uncovered, to the fierce 
noonday heat of Palestine. There is no agony like that of 
unassuaged thirst; it is the one cry of the wounded as they 
lie untended on the battlefield: “Water! Water!” ‘He thirsts 
that we may not thirst, that we may receive from him that 
gift of the water of life which shall cause us never to thirst 
any more.” 

The Scripture fulfilled in this cry is Psa. 22:15; 69:21. 
“Only when all else had been attended to (‘Knowing that all 
things are finished’) did Christ attend to his own physical 
sensations. hey filled a sponge, because a cup was imprac- 
ticable, and put it around a stalk of hyssop, and thus applied 
the restorative to his mouth. All that was requisite was a 
reed two or three feet long, as the crucified was only slightly 
elevated.” “He had refused the stupefying draught, which 
would have clouded his faculties; he accepts what will revive 
them for the effort of a willing surrender of his life.” 


The Word of Triumph. 

Sixth word: “It is finished.” John 19: 30. 

The Word of Triumph. This is one word in the Greek, 
and it has been called ‘“‘the greatest single word ever uttered.” 
“No other man, since the world began, could have said that 
word as Jesus saidit. He had lived a perfect, complete human 
life, in which there were no mistakes, no omissions, no short- 
comings. The atonement was complete, because it was the 


¥ 
106 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


offering of a perfect life.’ “In one sense nothing he did was 

ended. But the atoning sacrifice had been offered once for all. — 
Our Lord saw a long wake of light crossing the past and © 
stretching forward to the future.” 


The Word of Reunion. 

Seventh word: ‘‘Father, into thy hands I commend my . 
spirit.” Luke 23: 46. 

The Word of Reunion, spoken at 3 p.m., the time of the 
evening sacrifice. ‘‘The last act of our Lord in thus commend- 
ing his spirit to the Father was only a summing up of what 
he had been doing all his life. He had been offering this sacri- 
fice of himself all the years.” ‘The thought of the Father 
penetrated and possessed our Lord’s whole life. What won- 
der that he turned to the Father at the last with perfect 
confidence ?” 


THE THREE CROSSES AT CALVARY 


‘And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, 
there they crucified him,” etc. Luke 23: 33. 

I. The motive of the rulers in crucifying Christ between 
two malefactors: To make his death seem as odious as pos- 
sible; to brand him as a great criminal. 

II. The unforeseen result of their malice: The Cross be- 
came a tribunal. The scene at the Day of Judgment was fore- 
shadowed. ‘The Judge in the center; on one side a penitent, 
on the other an impenitent sinner. A malefactor became a 
witness to Christ’s mighty, redeeming love. 

Lessons: 

1. The same cross attracts and repels. 
2. The most hopeless may obtain mercy. 
3. You may be near the means of salvation, but be lost. 


THE SCENE OF OUR SAVIOUR’S EXECUTION 
‘The place called Calvary.” Duke 23°33. 


A magic spell and power rest over some scenes and places. 
The home where our youthful affections were first brought into 
genial exercise we remember with hallowed feelings. Places 


\ 
' 





GOOD FRIDAY SERMON OUTLINES 107 


of historic interest, too, there are. There are localities also 
towards which we cherish a deep religious regard. Scenes of 
the Bible are especially interesting to every saint of God, but 
no part of sacred history is so suggestive of pious thought 
and heavenly consolation as that which relates to our blessed 
Lord. In the scene to which we are introduced by the words 
before us we behold him in the consummation of his earthly 
career. We see events which astonished heaven, aroused hell 
and confounded earth. Let us draw near, then, to this divinely 
honored place; the place where, be it said with reverence, we 
see Deity in conflict; ‘“The place called Calvary.” 

I. It was the place of unparalleled suffering. No al- 
leviating circumstances were to soften his anguish, but the 
full burden of the world’s transgressions rested upon him. 
None but God could save the world, for none but God could 
endure the wrath due to the world. What, then, must the 
meek, expiring Lamb have endured. The darkened heavens 
and the rended earth gave tokens of sympathy with the suffer- 
ing Saviour. 

II. It was the place of singular phenomena. “And it was 
about the sixth hour,” etc., verses 44, 45. [hat this was not 
any solar eclipse is evident from the period at which it oc- 
curred, it being at the time of full moon; from the length of 
the duration of this darkness, no total eclipse having been 
known to exist more than four minutes, and no partial eclipse 
more than two hours, and also from the testimony of ancient 
authors on the point. From Calvary, then, issued the most 
singular phenomena, for here was the cause of all the ex- 
traordinary events. Earth and sky put on their mourning 
habiliments and creation groaned a requiem to its dying Lord. 

III. The place of the most momentous of all achieve- 
ments. Here did God, even the Triune God, make known 
his most marvelous work—his acts, his mighty acts. Here, 
we behold the mightiest moral transactions within the range 
of human and not improbably within the range of angelic ex- 
perience. On the brow of Calvary was the price laid down 
for a lost world; the uttermost farthing of the debt was paid; 
man’s utmost hopes were more than realized; the ‘‘promised 
seed” there “bruised serpent’s head.” But this suggests an- 
other thought, viz.: 


108 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


IV. That Calvary was the place of glorious triumph. 
Hear the Conqueror as he proclaims his blessed triumph! 
“T have trodden the wine-press alone,” etc. Isaiah 63: 3-6. 
He met stern justice and silenced her demand. He chained 
death in his own den, and all insignia of his dread power did 
he destroy. He arched over the chasm which intervened be- 
tween earth and heaven and opened the way to glory. 3 

VY. The place of pardoning mercy. In the very agonies of 


: 


ae 


= | 


ee ag ee 


death he absolved the thief and took him to the courts above | 


as a spoil of victory—a trophy of redeeming love. 

VI. The place of deep devotion and of ardent affection. 
All were not mockers and scoffers who drew nigh to see the 
Man of Griefs expire. “Now there stood by the cross,” etc.— 
John 19: 25-27. Be it yours to cherish the same faithful af- 
fection towards the Saviour and to receive from him similar 
tokens of love and care. Whosoever shall do the will of my 


Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister 
and mother.—J. F. 


“ 





PART XV: EASTER TEXTS AND 
THEMES 


The Invitation of a Risen Host: “Jesus saith unto them, 
Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, 
Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.” John 21: 12. 

The Resurrection a Necessity: “And said unto them, Thus 
it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise 
from the dead the third day.”’ Luke 24: 46. 

The Earnest and the Harvest: ‘For as in Adam all die, 
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in 
his own order. Christ the first fruits; afterward they that 
anevGnrist's at his coming.’ Cor. 16222) 23. 

The Resurrection an Attestation of the Divinity of Christ: 
‘‘And declared to be the son of God with power, according to 
the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” 
Rom. 1: 4. 

Old Testament Intimations of the Resurrection of Jesus: 
‘He, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, 
that his soul was not left in hell, neither did his flesh see cor- 
ruption.” Acts 2:31. 

The Touch of Sympathy: “And he came and touched the 
bier: and they that bore him stood still. And he said, Young 
man, I say unto thee, arise.” Luke 7: 14. 

The Light in the Tomb: ‘‘Now is Christ risen from the 
deades 1 Goruic 20. | 

Resurrection Power: ‘His power is to usward... the 
mighty power which is wrought in Christ when he raised him 
from the dead.” Eph. 1: 19, 20. 

The Call-—the Answer: ‘He is not here, for he is risen, as 
he said.”” Matt. 28:6. Many epitaphs written on tomb- 
stones strike us as being singularly artificial in phrasing, but 
the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon tells us in a sermon of one epitaph 
in a little mound which bears just these words: “‘Freddy’’—as 


if some one called—and underneath, ‘Yes, Father.” 
109 


a 


110 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


He Will Give Them Back: “Refrain thy voice from weep- 
ing, and thine eyes from tears. ‘Thy children shall come again 
to their own border.” Jer. 31: 15-17. 

The Redeemer Liveth: “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” 
Job 19:25. 

Christ in Us: “‘Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead to sin, 
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 
Geary. 

Mourning the Dead: “I would not have you to be ignorant, 


_ brethren, concerning them which are asleep.” I Thess. 4: 13. 


The First Easter Sermon: “Mary Magdalene came and 
told the disciples that she had seen the Lord.” John 20: 18. 

Christ the First-Fruits: “Now is Christ risen from the dead — 
and become the first-fruits of them that slept.” 1 Cor. 15: 20. 

The Conquest of the Grave: ‘‘O grave, where is thy vic- 
COLVC ro COL LS mee 

Making Appointments in the Hereafter: ““To-day shalt thou 
be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 43. 

Death Not a Divine Mistake: “Lord, if thou hadst been 
here, my brother had not died.” John 11: 12. 

“God’s Amen”: “Now is Christ risen from the dead.” 
1 Cor. 15:20. The Resurrection is God’s ‘“Amen’’ to Christ’s 
“Tt is finished.”’ 

Job’s Confidence: Job 19: 23-29. 

The Blessed Life: Titus 2: 11-15. 

Christ the Life: John 1: 4. 

The Stone Rolled Away: Matt. 28: 2. 

The Bearing of the Age-Long Life: Rev. 21: 1-8. 

The Easter Message: Rom. 6: 4. 

A Long Look Ahead: 1 Cor. 15: 35-58. 

Resurrection from a Legal Point of View: “But he said 
unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the 
nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 
20:26. 

Immortal Life: “And they shall see his face.” Rev. 22: 4. 

The Resurrection a Fact, a Force, a Prophecy: 1 Cor. 
15: 35-58. 

The Garden and the Sepulcher: “In the garden was a sepul- 
chery) iomn i947! 

Why I Believe in the Immortality of the Soul: ‘“And may 


EASTER TEXTS AND THEMES 111 


your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without 
blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 
Rees 

The Easter Pilgrim: ‘These all died in faith, not having 
received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them 
from afar and having confessed that they were strangers and 
pilgrims on the earth.” Heb. 11: 13. 

The Natural Immortality of the Soul: “I£ a man die, shall 
he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, till 
my release should come.” Job 14:14. 

The Joy of Easter: ‘And they departed quickly from the 
tomb with fear and great joy.”’ Matt. 28:8. 

The Resurrection Body: “But some will say, How are the 
dead raised up, and with what body do they come.” 1 Cor. 
ee Wok 
Is Death Merely Good-by? ‘‘O death, where is thy sting? 
©: grave, where is thy victory?’ 1 Cor. 15:35. 

Witnesses that Convince: “This Jesus did God raise up, 
whereof we are all witnesses.”’ Acts 2: 32. 

Easter Banishes Fear: “Y declare unto you the gospel, 
wherein ye stand.” 1 Cor. 15:1. 


PART XVI: EASTER SERMON 
OUTLINES 


THE FIRST EASTER SERMON 


‘“‘Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had 
seen the Lord.” John 20: 18. 

Mary Magdalene preached the first Easter sermon, and this 
was her text: “I have seen the Lord.” 

1. That was not only an appropriate text, but also a cen- 


<a a | eet 


tral and substantial one, because it enabled the preacher to — 


speak from personal experience and observation, and that con- 
cerning the very event on which the hope of the world hinged. 
But for the fact that she had seen the Lord, there would 
have been no Easter, and her sermon would have been a 
funeral discourse; that is to say, but for the fact of the resur- 


rection and the appearance of the Lord to her, she would. 


have spoken of his death and burial. But in lieu of death 
there was life, and instead of a dead teacher there was the 
living Christ. ‘That made a world of difference—an eternity 
of difference, in fact. 

2. This first Easter sermon was preached on the first day 
of the week, and by the one who was first at the tomb with 
the ‘other Mary.” These first things come first in the de- 


velopment of the Easter story, which grows in interest and ~ 


power as the years go by. 

3. The point of this first Easter sermon, the pith of Mary 
Magdalene’s preaching, so far as we are now concerned, is 
to be found in the spiritual translation of the text. Have we 
seen the Lord? Has he called our names, and have we re- 
sponded, ‘‘Master’’? Has he presented to us his hands and 
his side, and were we glad when we saw him? Yea, us hath 
he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and in sins, and 
hath raised us up together. ‘We have seen the Lord.” 

112 


EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 113 


ENDLESS POWER FOR ENDLESS LIVING 


‘’The power of an endless life.”’ Heb. 7: 16. 

1. There is power over gloom for all who live in the risen 
Christ: ‘‘In him is no darkness at all.” 

2. Power over temptation is Easter’s gift to mankind; the 
Conqueror of death was also the conqueror of temptation. 

3. Power over weakness is a fruit of the resurrection; 
whom the all-powerful Saviour strengthens is strengthened 
indeed. 

4. Power over injustice is a fruit of Christ’s rising again; 
if Jesus bore injustice uncomplainingly, then conquered it, we 
too may follow in his train. 

5. Power over remorse comes from Christ’s rising again; 
remorse never visits the person who, trusting in Christ’s vic- 
torious might, never falls a prey to sin. 

6. The resurrection means power over sin; Christ, proved 
divine, by his power over death, is able to deliver us all from 
sin and from its end, which is eternal death. 

7s eOWor Lor understanding comes to all men who cling 
to the risen Christ. What is impossible to understand here— 
_ suffering, sorrow, distress, weakness, privation and our multi- 
tude of apparently unmerited ills—‘‘some day we’ll under- 
stand.” 

8. Power for service, satisfying and worthwhile service, is 
ours because with Christ we live an endless life. What we 
do now for him is only a moment’s beginning for service that 
is to continue, with constantly increasing power, until ‘‘the end 
of the ages.” 

g. Power for endless joy, perfect joy and unashamed joy 
is God’s Easter gift to all who will accept it. And the token 
of our acceptance is simply obedience. 

10. Power over poverty and privation is a gift that comes 
from the risen Master; he was rich, yet for our sakes became 
poor and by so doing he won eternal riches for us all. 

11. Power for growing and complete sanctification (purity, 
sinlessness, godliness)—this is what will come to all God’s 
children who accept the Easter fact as fact and the risen 
Master as Master. 

12. Power for a broad vision comes to all who accept 


114 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Christ as the risen Lord. Whoever lives eternally will view 
things from an eternal standpoint, not with a temporary vision 
that counts the small delights of to-day as all-important. It 
is hard to live with Christ and be petty minded.—REv. P. P. F. 


THE RISEN CHRIST 


‘’Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our 
Lord ‘Jesus Christ: Cor, aces, 
I. He has conquered Physical Death. 

1. He arose from the dead. 

2. He raised others from the dead. 

3. He promises to raise all from the dead on the last 
day. This comforts mourning hearts. 

II. He has conquered Spiritual Death. 

1. God is life. To be estranged from him is-to be in 
death. ‘This is the natural condition of man. 

2. Through his word and the Holy Sacraments Jesus 
calls men out of death to life. The believers live in 
Christ. 

III. He has conquered Eternal Death. 

1. Eternal death—exclusion from the gracious presence 
and the beatific vision of God. 

2. Jesus by his sufferings and death bore the eternal pun- 
ishment for our sins and merited for us eternal life. 

3. Natural death does not end all; there is a life of 
bliss beyond. 


THE EMPTY GRAVE 


“Come and see the place where the Lord lay.” Matt. 
28:6. 

The angel here addresses the visitors to the tomb. To 
prove the certainty of his resurrection he refers to their senses. 
We notice: 

I. The Resurrection of Christ was foretold. 

David declared, ‘‘Neither wilt thou suffer Thine Holy One 
to see corruption.” 

Christ distinctly predicted and asserted his crucifixion, his 
death, and his resurrection from the grave. 


EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 115 


IJ. The testimony of those to whom Christ appeared after 
his resurrection. 

1. The enemies of Christ both believed and testified his 
resurrection. The conduct of the scribes and Phari- 
sees clearly indicates that, in their own hearts, they 
feared Christ would rise again. They sought to over- 
throw the true statement of their own guards by false- 
hood. The Roman soldiers knew that Christ had 
risen. 

2. The friends of Jesus bore witness of his resurrection. 
(a) The angel positively announced to the women: 

_ “He is not here, he is risen.” (b) On their way to 
tell the disciples the glad tidings, Jesus met them. 
They knew his voice, they recognized him as their 
crucified Lord. (c) He appeared to the eleven when 
assembled with closed doors. (d) To Thomas. 
(e) Lo more than five hundred brethren at once. 


MARY’S JOY IN HER RISEN LORD 


“Jesus saith unto her, Mary,” etc. John 20:16, 17. 

That was a memorable morning because on it Jesus broke 
the bands of death and appeared to a living, anxious, seek- 
_ Ing woman. 

I. Mary was attached to Christ. Luke 8:23. But test 
of love is seen in sacrifice. To be with Jesus when men ap- 
plaud was pleasant; but after one sold him, another denied 
him, and all the rest ‘‘forsook him, and fled,’ Mary was 
faithful. 

Il. Mary was the first to see Christ after his resurrection. 
When Christ appeared she did not know him. He is often 
nearer than we think. 

III. Mary was the first to preach a risen Christ. Thou 
hast joy, then share it with others. Thou hast seen Jesus, 
then go tell others. | 


THE RISEN CHRIST 


‘Fear not ye; he is not here; he is risen; come see the place 
where the Lord lay.” Matt. 28: 6. 


116 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


It is with Christ’s risen life that faith connects us. 

I. The security of the risen life. Faith knits us to him. 

II. The power of the risen life. It was the Risen One who ~ 
spake. “All power is given unto me.” We have his power. — 

III. The love of the risen life. Resurrection is a new and — 
higher state of being. The instrument is now more perfectly 
tuned; is capable of sweeter sounds. Mf 

IV. The sympathies of the risen life. Resurrection does © 
not throw a gulf between us and the Risen One. It is the fill- — 
ing up of the gulf. It is the shepherd bringing himself nearer 
his flock. 

V. The affinities of the risen life. We are risen ‘“‘with © 
him.” 
VI. The joys of the risen life. In the tomb the Man of © 
Sorrows left his sorrows. We share his joy. 

VII. The hopes of the risen life. We are begotten unto 
a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead. 


THE RESURRECTION A FACT 


‘Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first- 
fruits of them that slept.” 1 Cor. 15:20. | 

I. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a 
historical fact. As such it is proved like any other historical 
fact—by the testimony of competent witnesses and by the wit- 
ness of related facts and results. 

I]. ‘The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is more 
than a historical fact. It is a spiritual force in the lives of 
men. Through fellowship with the risen Christ, men rise 
from a death in sin to a life in holiness. ‘“‘Now is Christ © 
risen from the dead.’ ‘Ye are risen with Christ.” In Christ 
the believer is a risen man: 

Ilf. The resurrection of Christ is more than a historical 
fact and more than a spiritual force. It is prophecy and hope 
and assurance of future life. ‘Because I live, ye shall live 
also.” Men have ever nursed and nurtured the thought of 
life beyond the grave. It is a sort of instinct of humanity. 
The thought is as old as the heart-beat and as natural REv. 
Joun F. Carson, D.D. 


EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 117 


AND PETER 


“Go tell his disciples and Peter.” Mark 16:7. 

I. Tell Peter, although he has sinned so grievously. It 
was heartless, repeated, public, willful. 

II. Tell Peter, for he has wept. God’s anger against his 
children ceases with the commencement of their penitence. 

III. Tell Peter, for he has suffered. His thoughts were 
God’s chastening rod. | 

IV. Tell Peter, he is dear to Christ. Sin can grieve Christ, 
cause him to withdraw, wound and disfigure us; but it cannot 
alter his love. 

V. ‘Tell Peter, for he is your brother. They have sinned. 
Have not we denied our Lord? 





THE LESSON OF EASTER 


Easter gives vitality to life. Without the fact of Easter 
life would be dull, flat, and meaningless; there would be no 
more value to human life than there is to brute life, simply 
living on a better physical plane, and with less real enjoy- 

_ ment, for the natural, universal dream of humanity is toward 
the idea that Easter reveals immortality brought to light. 
That which was the eternal ‘‘dream’”’ of man, from the earliest 
known times, that which was the longing of man became a 
reality when Jesus Christ arose from the dead. 

I. The imperishable life. The outstanding fact of Easter | 
is immortality. \ 

II. The abundant life. If we are only physical, our very 
“abundance”’ of things is a mockery. To know, to think, to 
feel, to long, to dream, is the abundant life only as we consider 
it in connection with Jesus. We need him to make it “‘full.” 
And for that he came. ‘I am come that they might have life, 
and might have it abundantly.” 

III. ‘The expanding life. It is not only full, abundant, but 
there is a development of life, which the resurrection assures, 
which is possible only in Jesus Christ. ‘‘But we all, with un- 
veiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are 
transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” 

IV. The triumphant life. Everything about us tells us a 


118 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


story of defeated life. The air is full of farewells to the 
dying, and mournings for the dead. The outer man is perish- — 
ing—perishing every day. If that is all there is of us; if 
what we call spiritual life is only a chemical combination of 
matter, we not only die, but completely perish. But listen 
to the triumphant cry of Paul: “The inward man is renewed 
day by day.” ql 

V. The final great lesson of Easter is the proper sense of 
values. ‘‘The things that are seen are temporal.” It does 
not say that the things that are seen are unreal; he accepts 
their reality, but denies their permanence. Grip the truth. 
Are we living in the things that are seen? Are we building 
upon the things that are not seen, yet are eternalr—REv. 


W. H. Geistweit, D.D. 


THE FIRST GOSPEL SERMON 


‘‘And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus 
of Nazareth, which, was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: 
behold the place where they laid him,” etc. Mark 16: 6, 7. 

Here we have the first gospel sermon preached after the 
gospel had been finished on the cross, and sealed by the fact 
of the resurrection. Not .a sentence that dropped from the 
speaker’s lips by accident; nor are its words mere words that 
came uppermost, as though some other words might have done 
as well. They hold the germ of which the preaching of all | 
true evangelists is but the expansion. 

I. The first title under which Christ was proclaimed by a 
messenger from heaven after his crucifixion. 

1. Jesus. The name given at the annunciation. Now it 
is fulfilled. He has saved his people from their sins. 
Henceforth this name shall be above every name. 
All through our life in time let us sing with Bernard, 
“This name is sweetness in the mouth, music in the 
ear, joy in the heart,” and all through our life in 
eternity let us expect to penetrate deeper and deeper 
into the soul of its beauty, and glory, and meaning. 

2. Jesus of Nazareth. A lowly title, despised by men. 

3. Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. Words used 
among men to express contempt, an angel is proud to 


ge 


EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 119 


use; and the last phrase of degradation which his 
enemies flung at him on earth was the first title under 
which he is proclaimed by a flaming prophet from 
heaven. 
II. The first notice of Christ’s resurrection. Christ’s 
resurrection is: 
1. A mystery. 
2. A miracle. 
3. A victory over death. 
4. A fulfillment of his promise. 
—Revy. C. STraAnForp, D.D. 


EASTER TALK TO CHILDREN 


“He is not here, but is risen.” Luke 24:6. 

Look at this queer gray thing (showing a cocoon), and 
listen to a true story about it. 

Last fall there was a fuzzy brown caterpillar climbing up 
an apple tree. Up, up it went till it could stretch itself out 
on a green leaf. ‘Then it was tired and wanted to cover up 
and go to sleep. What do you suppose it did for covers? It 
spun out a long gray, silky thread—TI never can tell you how 
he did it—God makes a fuzzy worm to do things you and 
I cannot do or even understand. | 

So it spun out a long gray, silky thread, and wrapped it 
round and round the stout apple leaf till it drew up at the 
sides and made a cradle—a cradle with himself inside! There, 
snug and dry and warm, the little caterpillar went to sleep. 

Frosty days came. Most of the leaves fell off the trees, 
but the stout apple leaf held on. You stopped playing hide- 
and-seek and went to school. You had Thanksgiving and 
Christmas and stormy days, and still the apple-leaf cradle was 
swinging on the tree with the caterpillar fast asleep inside. 

Now the sunshiny days are here. You are throwing off 
caps and mittens and running out to play. And soon there 
will come a-knocking on the inside of the cradle. People 
knock on doors to get in, but here is something trying to get 
out! Pretty soon a hole will come in the end, and out will 
come—not a fuzzy brown caterpillar, but a shiny yellow but- 
terfly with wings like silk. 


120 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Boys and girls, listen! Some day you and I will go to 4 


sleep down here—people will say we are dead, and they will 
put our bodies down in the ground to stay while our souls go 
to God; but the God who can change an ugly caterpillar into 
at heavti ful butterfly can give our souls new, glorious bodies 
that can never die. He says he will do it for “those who keep 


his commandments.”’ Remember this story when you see a- 


gray cradle swinging in a tree. 


THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION 


‘That I may know him and the power of his resurrection.”’ 
Phil. 3: 10. 


It is doubtful if Paul ever saw Jesus in the flesh. He speaks — 


of the desire to know him, the purpose and the expectation. 
Paul thought of Jesus as still alive, and has excellent reason 
for this belief. Jesus had appeared to him and he came into 


the Christian church as one born out of due time. This saying © 


is not so strange, this purpose not so unusual, as the desire to 
know the power of his resurrection. 
I. How can one who is alive know the power of any resur- 





rection? Ah, we forget that Paul was even now dead. He © 


had cut himself off from the old life, with all its ideas and 
ideals, quite as completely as if he had died and had been 
buried. The old self was dead. 

II. But Paul is not the man to be content with mere nega- 
tion. He would make his death to self and sin a birth to 
life that is life indeed. Even as Jesus’ universal ministry 
began only after his death, Paul looks for an experience in 


his Christian life that shall be continual evidence of Christ’s 


resurrection in him. ‘This, as we see it, is the obvious mean- 
ing of the words, ‘“‘that I may know the power of his resur- 
rection.” 

This is not the sole meaning, but it is the first meaning. 
Paul looks for proof of his new life in Christ in a certain daily 
experience. He will be satisfied with nothing less than demon- 
strable evidence that the life he now lives, he lives by the 
death of the Son of God.— Rev. CHARLES CARROLL ALBERT- 
son, D.D. 


EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 121 


ROLLING AWAY THE STONE 


‘Thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory, through 
our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57. 

Victories are much more delightful than defeats, as summits 
are finer viewpoints than valleys. Our Lord turned his defeat 
on Calvary to a glorious triumph; in dying, he conquered 
death. 

I. Unbelief died when Christ arose; they saw him, touched 
him, ate with him, prayed together and then at last beheld 
him ascend to his heavenly glory, to prepare for their coming 
in a little while. No wonder they preached Christ and the 
resurrection ever after! | 

II. Millions have seen him by faith since that day—though 
not an actual vision as Paul enjoyed, yet the spiritual view is 
just as vivid and real. Christ comes to human souls as he 
did to the disciples when the doors were locked, and no one 
knew of his approach; he comes in to dwell with us forever, 
to pardon sin, to cleanse the heart, to give victory over the 
world. | 

III. Millions have been rolling away the stone in the path- 
way of human progress that the world might march on in the 
glorious resurrection of peace.-—Rev. E. W. CAswELL, D.D. 


EASTER GLADNESS IN SEEING THE LORD 


‘‘Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.” 
John 20: 20. 

And well they might be; for they felt as orphans deserted 
and desolate when their Master was gone. ‘Their sorrow had 
been deep, but now it was turned into Joy. 

I. They were glad on account of the gratification of their 
natural attachment. They could once more gaze upon that 
well known and beloved face, so radiant with love. 

II. They were glad because they recognized him as Lord 
of all, as the Supreme God, as God manifest in the flesh, and 
now felt, after a night of doubt and gloom that his Omnipo- 
tent care was over them. 

III. They were glad because his resurrection proved the 
completion of his atoning work. 


122 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


IV. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord be- 
cause his resurrection was a pledge of their own future resur- 
rection and of their eventful participation in that glory which 
he was speedily to take possession of in their name. “In my 
Father’s house ate many mansions; if it were not so I would 
have told you; and if I go, I will come again, and take you to 
myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.”’ | 

V. We, too, are glad when we have seen the Lord, not 
with our bodily eye but with eye of faith, for then we have an 
evidence that we are his, and that, in due time, we shall enter 
into his glory. And if these spiritual visions cheer us now, fill 
us with holy joy, what will be the vision and portion of his 
glory in the heavenly world; when freed from sorrow and 
from sin we shall see him as he is, and bathe our very souls in 
the sunshine of his love. 


THE SPIRITUAL PARABLE OF CHRIST’S CRUCI- 
FIXION, RESURRECTION, ASCENSION 
AND RETURN 


“Dead with him,” “Risen with him,’ “Hid with him,” 
weppear with him)". Cola v0 593 87,3, ae 

I. Introduction. New Testament use of ‘With Christ,” 
“In Christ,” ‘“Through Christ,” etc. ‘The keynote of Paul’s 
conception of the Christian life; used about one hundred times. 
In Ephesians alone the phrases are connected with grace, 
peace, spiritual blessing, adoption, choosing, redemption, for- 
giveness, acceptation, union, inheritance, sealing, wisdom, reve- 
lation. Especially found in connection with the death, resur- 
rection, ascension, and return of Christ in a parabolic or fig- 
urative sense. Rom. 6: 4, 6-11; Gal. 2: 19-21; Eph. 4: 9-13. 
The text is a striking illustration of this parabolic use; the 
words ‘‘dead,” “risen,” “hid,” “appear,” picture four phases 
of the individual Christian life. 

II. Discussion. (Be careful to distinguish the parabolic 
from the literal meaning.) 

1. ‘Dead with Christ.’”’ Christ died on the cross a sacri- 
fice for sin. He nailed everything earthly to it. He 
entered the tomb dead, separated from the world. 
Separation from the world the phase of Christian life 


, 





EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 123 


figured here. ‘‘Reckoned as dead,” “crucified with 
him,”’ is our attitude toward the old nature. A tomb 
door between us and sin. This the negative phase of 
Christian life. 

2. ‘Risen with Christ.’ Christ rose from the dead to 
a new life, the full eternal life. Ina real living sense 
we shall rise with him to immortal hope and share in 
his glorified life. But the thought here figures the 
positive side of Christian life. ‘Dead to sin,” but 
also “alive to righteousness.” A risen life. A rising 
life; ‘on stepping stones of our dead selves.” 


—H. H. Barsrow, D.D. 


THE POWER OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION 


‘That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection.”’ 
Phil. 3:10; | 

The power of Christ’s resurrection has cast a mysterious 
spell over about 600,000,000 of living people of the present 
day, so that they love him, and are exemplifying him, in all 
the various parts of the world. This power is universally 
recognized everywhere by foes as well as by friends of Christ. 

The fruits of this marvelous power of Christ’s resurrection 
may be clearly seen from three angles: 

I. It is a personal transforming power. 1. It is seen in 
the new life in Christ. Faith in Christ is its basis (Rom. 
4:25). 2. It is seen in the spiritual knowledge. The best 
evidences are seen in boots, not books. There is no greater 
force than the back of the certain, “I know,” for Christianity 
can be attested by personal experience. 

II. This marvel is seen in that it is a world-transforming 
power. I. See the battle in array. ‘The early problem was a 
billion pagans against twelve disciples of Jesus. This seems 
to us of to-day almost absurd, but the triumph was assured. 
2. [he internal enemy, too, was conquered by the real thing. 
Heresy, many times, is worse than paganism, as it is more 
insidious in its workings, and more difficult to deal with. It is 
a civil war, the worst kind of war. But Christianity con- 
quered here. | 

Il]. The power of Christ’s resurrection is seen in that it 


‘. 
(< 


124 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


transforms death. 1. It transforms the angel of gloom into 
an angel of light. It makes one to sense the Light of the 
World illumining ‘“‘the valley of the shadow of death.”’ With 
a real consciousness of Jesus’ Real Presence, there can be no 
death, as ordinarily understood. 2. In Christ, in him alone, 
there is a glorious triumph, Paul in the presence of the 
martyr’s block rejoiced in the “Crown of righteousness” (2 _ 
Tim. 4:7,8). Jerome, of Prague, had no fear of physical 
pain, while Christ was near. At the martyr’s stake, three 
Quakers in more recent times in England, in their last mo- 
ments, could clap their hands in holy triumph, because they 
felt the power of Christ’s resurrection! 

Thus to-day we may realize the tears, to-morrow we shall 
know the triumph, to-day we may know earth’s sorrow, to- 
morrow we shall know the joy; to-day we view the mounded 
graves, to-morrow we shall view the triumphal glory, and this 
all because of ‘‘the power of Christ’s resurrection!” 


THE RISEN CHRIST 


‘Fear not ye; he is not here; he is risen; come see the place 
where the Lord lay.” Matt. 28:6. 

He is risen! He has tasted death, but he has not seen cor- 
ruption; for he is the Holy One of God, and upon holiness 
corruption cannot fasten. It is with this risen life that faith 
connects us, from the moment that we believe in him who died 
and rose again. Let us note, then, such things as these: 

I. The security of the risen life.’ The faith that knits us 
to him makes us partakers of his resurrection. | 

IJ. The power of the risen life. It was as the Risen One 
has spake: ‘“‘All power is given unto me,” etc. In that power 
we are made more than conquerors. 

Ill. The love of the risen life. The resurrection was a 
newer and higher stage of being and with the perfection of 
life there comes a perfection of love. 

IV. The affinities of the risen life. The resurrection 
breaks no bonds save those of mortality. 

V. The joys of the risen life. In the tomb the Man of 
sorrows left all his sorrows, as he left all our sins. Then they 





EASTER SERMON OUTLINES 125 


were buried with him. At this resurrection his full joy began. 
But the fullness of that risen joy is also in reserve for us. 

VI. The hopes of the risen life. “We are begotten again 
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the 


dead.” 


PART XVII: LORD'S SUPPER TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


A Joyful Approach: “ went with them to the house of God, 
with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that a 
holyday.” Psa. 42:4. 

A Message First: “TI will not eat until I have told mine 
errand. Gen. 24: 33- 

Climbing Round by Round: “Behold a ladder set up on the 
earth, and the top of it reached to heaven,” etc. Gen. 28:12. 

Consecration: “But first gave their own selves to the Lord.” 
@ Cor. 1525 

Love for the Unseen Saviour: ““Whom having not seen ye 
love.v) Peter .12'8; 

A Visit to Calvary: ‘And sitting down they watched him 
there.” Matt. 28: 36. 

Song of the Pilgrims: Psa. 84. 

Minds Stirred to Remembrance: “I stir up your pure minds 
by way of remembrance.” 2 Peter 3:1. | 

A Dying Wish Respected: “This do in remembrance of 
mes Luke.22*\10, . 

Living to Christ: “For to me to live is Christ.” Phil. 1: 21. 

The Duty of Christians to Study Christ: “Wherefore, con- 
sider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ 
Vesus. "cles Boia 

A Personal Question: “What mean ye by this service?” 
| hy 0 Oy Shai dp 

Duty and Obligations of Christians to Keep the Communion 
Feast: “Therefore let us keep the feast.’ 1 Cor. 5:8. 

Good to Draw Near to God: “It is good for me to draw 
near to God.”’ Psa. 73:28. 

Beautiful with Sandals: “How beautiful are thy feet with 
shoes, O prince’s daughter.” Song of Sol. 7:7. 

The Great Festal Gathering: Rev. 5: 11, 12. 

At the Last Supper: “Now when even was come,” etc. 
Matt. 26: 20-22. 

126 








: 


LORD’S SUPPER TEXTS AND THEMES 127 


Spiritual Progress: ‘Grow in grace.” 2 Pet. 3: 18. 

The Great Resolve: ‘‘We will walk in the name of the Lord 
our God for ever and ever.” Micah 4: 5. 

The Lord’s Supper a Covenant: ‘‘And Moses took half of 
the blood,” etc. Ex. 24: 6-8. 

Sacraments Connecting Heaven and Earth: “Thou art near, 
word.) y Psa bhG: 151. 

The Remembrance of Christ’s Earthly Life and of His 
Death: ‘““This do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22: 19. 

Eucharist, a Memento of Christ’s Life in Glory: “Thou 
hast ascended on high,” etc. Psa. 67:18, 19. 

Advantages of the Perpetual Remembrance of Christ: 
‘This do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22: 19. 

The Eucharist a Renewal of the Covenant: “This cup is 
the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 
223,20. 

The Presence of Christ in the Supper: “And he took 
bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, 
saying, This is my body which is given for you.” Luke 
22:19: 

Partakers of Christ: ‘For we are made partakers of Christ, 


_ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the 


enw biebAa2 04: 

The Bread of Life: “For the bread of God is he which 
cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” 
John 6: 33. 

Grace Given in the Lord’s Supper: “Are not Abana and 
Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of 
Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean?” 2 Kings 
Sor. 

Communion in the Lord’s Supper: “That which we have 
seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have 
fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, 
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 3. 

The Worthy Communicant: “But let a man examine him- 
self, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” 
yeCore 11328: | 

The Action: “This do ye.” 1 Cor. 11:25. 

The Paschal Lamb: ‘‘Christ our Passover.” 1 Cor. 5:7. 

Uhe Bread of Life: John 6: 33. 


128 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The Bequest of Jesus: ‘“‘Peace I leave with you, my peace 
I give unto you.” John 14: 27. 

A Last Wish: “This do in remembrance of me.” Luke 
22° \10} 

The Gospel Festival: “A feast of fat things, a feast of wine 
on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees 
well refined.” Isa. 25:6. — 

Neglect of the Lord’s Supper: “And they would not come.’ 
Matt. 22:3. “I will sup with him.” Rev. 3: 20. 

The New Passover Feast: “And they made ready the Pass- 
Over Uke 22803. 

The Surroundings of the Supper: “After the same manner 
ASO.) EL COR In 1 2k. 

On the Threshold: “He brought me to the banqueting 
house.’”’ Song of Solomon 2: 4. 

Eternal Life in Christ: ““The gift of God is eternal life 
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Rom. 6:3 

Invited to the Feast: ‘‘Come, for all ait ie are now ready.” 
Luke 14:17. 

The King’s Guests: ““When the king came in to see the 
OUCStSt WALES B20 T. 

A fterthoughts: “So when they had dined.” John 21:15. 

Good to Draw Near to God: “It is good for me to draw 
near to God.” Psa. 73: 28. 

The Mount of Privilege: The transfiguration. Mark 
Q: I-14. 

After the Mountain-top, What? Work awaiting at its 
base. Mark 9: 14-27. 

Duty and Obligation of hese to Keep the Communion 
Feast: “Therefore let us keep the feast.” 1 Cor. 5: 8. 

A Personal Question: ‘“What mean ye by this service?” 
Hx 1232: 

Fulfilling Our Vows: Jacob building the promised altar. 
Gen. 35: 1-7. 

Encouragement for the Timid: “As for me I will come into 
thy house in the multitude of thy mercy,” etc. Psa. 5:7. 

Invited Closer—A Day of Communion: “Master, where 
dwellest thou? . . . Come and see.” John 1: 38, 39. 

Being with Jesus Shows: ‘‘They took knowledge of them 
that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4: 13. 





LORD’S SUPPER TEXTS AND THEMES 129 


Love’s Question: “Lovest thou me?” John 21: 16. 

Meditation Kindling Love: ‘‘My meditation of him shall be 
sweet.” Psa. 104: 34. 

Practical Religion: “Faith without works is dead.” Jas. 
Trs2b. | 

Rest in the Midst of Toil: “Come ye yourselves apart and 
rest a while.” Mark 6:31. 

Let Us Draw Near: “Having, therefore, boldness . . . let 
us draw near with a true heart,” etc. Heb. 10: 19-25. 

Communion Continued: ‘‘But they constrained him, saying, 
Abide with us,” etc. Luke 24:29. 


PART XVIII: LORD'S SUPPER 
SERMON OUTLINES 


STIRRING TO REMEMBRANCE 


“I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” 
2 Peter. ain. 

The power and use of memory. God uses this faculty in 
building up Christian character. In our coming Communion — 
we remember especially the facts and the purpose of Christ’s 
life and death. | 

I. The Gospel has a history to be remembered. 

1. Bring to remembrance Christ’s sufferings. 
2. Bring to remembrance our sins. 
3. Bring to remembrance God’s love. 
II. The Lord’s Supper has a purpose to be remembered. 
1. It is a commemoration of Christ. 
2. It is a communion with Christ. 
3. It should bring consecration to Christ.—H. 


CHRIST EXPECTED AT THE FEAST 


‘What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?” John 
T1260: | 
I. What is there to cause us to fear that he will not be at 
the feast? 
1. Our sins against him. 
2. Our neglect of doing commanded duty. 
3. Our lack of love for him. 
II. On the other hand what is there to encourage the hope 
that he will be at the feast? 
1. His character. 
2. His disposition to forgive. 
3. His love.—H. 


130 


LORD’S SUPPER SERMON OUTLINES 131 


THE DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO KEEP THE 
FEAST 


+ Lberefore, let us:keep the feast.*- 1 Cores 3.8: 

I. First, let us keep the feast because the obligations rests 
on Christ’s dying command. 

‘Keep my commandments.” ‘Ye are my friends if ye do 
whatsoever | command you.” ‘This do in remembrance 
of me.” | 

II. Let us keep the feast as a public confession of Christ. 
It offers a blessed opportunity of testifying in the presence 
of fellow disciples and of the world that we are not ashamed 
of Christ. “I will pay my vows now, in the presence of all 
his people.” 

III. Let us keep the feast because in not doing so we 
would incur spiritual loss. It is a blessed means of grace, and 
the loss is great when neglected. It is called a “‘feast’’ be- 
cause it refreshes and strengthens the soul.—H. 


COMMUNION 


“This do in remembrance of me.” 1 Cor. 11: 24. 

These words were uttered by our Lord in the most solemn 
and yet the sweetest service that he had with his disciples. 
Jesus had borne many things and had faced all manner of 
trials and sufferings, but could not bear to be forgotten. He 
wants to be remembered. 

I. In what he wants to be remembered. 

1. Not so much in his deeds of kindness. 
2. Not so much in his social endeavor. 
3. Not in his miracles. 
4. But in his death and what it meant to all. 
II. The spirit in which he wants to be remembered. 
1. The spirit of love. 
2. The spirit of obedience. 
3. The spirit of progress and conquest. 

III. What he gave us to remember him by. 

1. Bread. ‘The staff of life. Broken bread. Broken 
body. Life-giving. 


132 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


2. Wine, the blood of the grape. The poured-out wine, 4 


the spilled blood of Christ, the life-giving blood. 


These two emblems of life he gave that his disciples should } 


remember his death till he came again. 


EMPTY PLACES AT THE LORD'S TABLE 


“David’s place was empty.”” I Sam. 20: 25. 
I. Some absent who might be expected to be present. 
1. Children of good parents. 
2. Hearers of the word. 
3. Those who have proved the vanity of the world for 
themselves. 
II. Some apparently absent who are really present. 
1. The timorous and fearful. 
2. Those whose love is greater than their hope. 
III. Some present who ought to be absent. 
1. Hypocrites. 
2. Schemers. 
IV. Some absent on the most frivolous excuses. 
1. Nothing worth hearing. 
2. Inconsistencies of other people. 


INVITED NEARER: A COMMUNION 
MEDITATION 


“Master, where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come 
and) see,” John 1: 38,39. 

In the sacramental service we receive an invitation to near- 
ness with Christ. It is a gracious invitation to partake of 
nearer and more confidential communion with our Master. 

{. About to accept his invitation let us begin with confes- 
sion to him of our sins. “With my burden I begin; Lord 
remove this load of sin.” Let us tell him of our wayward- 
ness, our coldness of heart, of our neglect of his word, of 
prayer, of fellowship. Keep nothing back. ‘‘He will abun- 
dantly pardon.” 

II. So near to Christ we will confide to him our troubles 
and sorrows, too. In this sacramental service the burdened 
and the afflicted are especially invited near and are assured 








LORD’S SUPPER SERMON OUTLINES 133 


of Christ’s sympathy and comfort. ‘‘Come unto me all ye 
that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” 
“Cast your care on him, for he careth for you’’—literally, 
“bears you upon his heart.” Draw near, and tell him your 
troubles. 

III. This is a precious invitation to those just beginning 
_ to follow Christ. Such were John and Andrew. Such is the 
case with many in this church to-day. You are asking, 
“Master, where dwellest thou?’ You want to know him 
better. He invites you to the nearest and sweetest relation- 
ship: ‘‘Come, and see.” ‘Come, tarry with me a while; listen 
to my words; learn my spirit; know my desires; become inti- 
mate with me and the things of my kingdom.” It is so he 
speaks to you—-you who are just entering upon his service. 
Recite to him your fears; tell him of your longings and aspira- 
tions; make known to him your resolutions, and ask him to 
help you keep them. 

IV. Some of the blessedness of being brought neanay ii 
sat down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit 
was sweet to my taste. He brought me into his banqueting 
_ house and his banner over me was love.” 

1. Nearness. It is blessed just to be near him. 

2. Rest. It means getting a rest that will refresh for 
going on to new endeavor. 

3. Protection. Shade from the burning sun of tempta- 
tion, affliction, etc. 

4. Sweet fruit. Such as pardon, peace, power, assurance, 
joy, hope; indeed, sweet foretastes of heaven.—H. 


PREPARATORY SERVICE 


“There make ready.”’ Matt. 26:17. 
For us, where make ready? In our hearts! In our hearts! 
I. What the communion is. 
1. The feast. 
2. The provision. 
3. The design. 
IJ. The necessity of preparation. Often unprofitable for 
lack of it. 
III. What is a good preparation? 


134 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


It is preparation that brings us into sympathy with Christ. - 
We are to try to get his feelings. 
1. About sin. 
2. About salvation. 
3. About spiritual growth, strength, consecration. 


-—Rev. W. R. Tay or, D.D. 


LOVE MADE THE SUPPER 


“There they made him a supper.” John 12:2. . 
That haunting ‘“‘they”! Who is “they,” this beautiful © 
“they”? It eludes us like the voice of the vesper sparrow. | 
It hints of the beautiful poetry of love. 
This supper was a neighborhood affair. In point of per-— 
sonal accuracy it was Simon who gave it. I think he paid — 
the bills; but the neighbors took a hand at this sweet dinner 
at Simon’s desire. They who loved him made him a festival. — 
I. Simon the leper; the supper was at his house. Toward — 
him Christ walked despite the warning, raucous voice of leper — 
Simon, ‘“‘Unclean, unclean, beware.” ‘Toward the voice came | 
the holy feet and outstretched was the holy hand to touch the 
untouchable leper and not to be rendered unclean thereby but 
to cleanse the leper. It.was Christ, and his touch means — 
cleansing. 
And then Simon the leper came home all unawares, and wife | 
and children wept aloud, and sang aloud and kissed aloud, 
“Welcome home.’’ And Simon made his Saviour a supper! . 
Likely enough, and rightly enough. A beautiful supper. | 
II. But next door in lovely Bethany beneath the olive trees — 
dwell the grown-up orphans, Martha and Mary and Lazarus. © 
And to these Christ had come also. He had touched their 
hand of death and Lazarus sprang up a living man. Small 
wonder Simon knew that they must be at the supper. And 
Simon sat at the table and Jesus beside him, and Lazarus sat 
at the table, but not to eat but just to look and adore. And 
Martha, to be sure. Martha served. We should have known 
that without the telling. And John’s Zebedee was there to 
see it all and to love to rehearse it all in this endearing phrase 
‘and they made him a supper.” 
III. There never was any supper like this. A supper of 


LORD’S SUPPER SERMON OUTLINES 13. 


love. And who is absent? Are we all here? It looks some- 
how as if somebody was away. Why, Mary 1s not here! 

Why is Mary away? Has she forgotten ‘The Resurrection 
and the Life’? Martha is among those that serve, but where 
is When coming running with a little alabaster box, 
with her eyes shining love and her black tresses loose like a 
flying veil, is Mary, and stops not till she reaches the feet, 
the blessed naked feet of God, “and anointed the feet of Jesus 
and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled 
with the odor of the ointment.”” Love made him a supper! 

IV. And then his Love made them and us all the Lord’s 
Supper, where we all kneel to partake, and he girds himself 
and serves us and breaks upon our heads and hearts the 
alabaster box of his love, until all the world is filled with the 
odor of the ointment.—W. A. Q. 





THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL DREAMING 


‘And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, 
and the top of it reached to heaven.”’ Gen. 28:12. 

I. Here was restlessness due to distance from God. Jacob 
had sinned against his brother, his father and his God. He 
knew it, and he had a restless slumber. He dreaded punish- 
ment. He wanted communion with God. He dreamed of it. 

II. The meaning of the ladder symbol. It was the New 
Testament in the Old. It was the sign of communication be- 
tween earth and heaven, between God and man. 

A ladder suggests perilous emergency. A ladder suggests 
possible salvation. A ladder suggests immediate use. 

IlJ. This occurrence may well suggest to us that the Chris- 
tian’s career is upward. ‘The ladder -was on earth, but it 
reached to heaven. It ended at the throne. We are to mount 
toward the throne of God. It is our duty to advance. Our 
ascent may be gradual, but it ought to be steady, continuous. 
“Grow.” Aspire. Climb. 

IV. The value of spiritual dreaming. See that you make 
your life after the pattern shown you in the mount. God 
gives you visions, ideals. Work toward them. Let this 
sacramental season be to you a new start toward heaven.—H. 


136 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


COMMUNION CONTINUED 


“They constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is | 


toward evening, and the day is far spent; and he went in to 
tarry with them.” Luke 24: 29. 
Like these disciples on their walk to Emmaus, when we 


have the Saviour’s company a little while, we will not be con- | 


tented until we have more of it. Some liquors men drink in- 
crease thirst. Never is the Christian tired of Christ’s com- 
pany. Love’s logic is always ready with a plea, “Abide with 
us, for it is toward evening.’ 

The suggestion also comes that if we would keep Christ with 
us we must constrain him. Christ will not intrude where 
he is not wanted. The question then becomes one as to how 
we can keep him with us. 

I. First, allow no rivals in your heart. Christ will never 
tarry in a divided heart. Be sure of that. He must be all to 
us or nothing. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Let 
us be watchful that we love him with an undivided love and 
serve him with unvarying delight. 

II. Retain no darling sin. Charles Spurgeon once said, vA 





little evil will spoil our peace, just as a small stone in one’s ~ 
shoe will spoil his walking.’’ Many people lose Christ’s pres- — 


ence through the indulgence of what they call little sins. 

III. Make your heart a fit temple for Christ’s indwelling. 
Out with the money changers, and unholy traffic. Give no 
place to the things that defile the body or degrade the soul. 
Keep the heart clean, and the mind pure. Make your heart 
not a place for harsh and warring sounds, but make it indeed 
a house of prayer. If it is made a fit place for Christ’s pres- 


ence, he will come and teak his residence in the temple of - 


your soul.—H. 


THE LORD’S SUPPER 


Li COVuErrac.oy 20. 

I. Divinely Commanded. ‘This do ye.” 

II. A Commemorative Event. ‘In remembrance of me.” 

III. A Proclamation to the world of the glorious fact. 
“Ye do show the Lord’s death.” 

IV. A continued obligation. ‘Till he come.” 


LORD’S SUPPER SERMON OUTLINES 137 


THE FRIENDSHIP OF JESUS 


“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
Henceforth I call you not servants,” etc. John 15:14, 15. 

Friendship is indispensable. Consider a few of the char- 
acteristics of a true friend. 

1. He is always accessible. You will never find ‘“‘No ad- 
mission’ written upon his door. For you, at least, his latch 
string is always out, his heart and his home is always open. 

2. The true friend is sympathetic. Your sorrow makes 
him sad; your joy gives a keener note to his rejoicing. 

3. A true friend always construes you favorably. His 
judgments are never harsh. He looks upon your good quali- 
ties and puts his emphasis on them. 

4. A true friend will make sacrifices on your behalf. 

5. But perhaps the most conspicuous element of all is his 
constancy. A true friend remains the same no matter how 
the wind may blow. 

6. Now, in outlining these qualities of the ideal friend, 
_ you observe I have simply been describing our blessed Saviour. 
My only purpose has been that you might see him, and whom 
else do we want to see at such a service as this. Take these 
qualities upon which I have touched and see how beautifully 
they app yy to him. 

He is always accessible. 

2. And as for his sympathy, it is too wonderful, too 
boundless, too infinite, for our poor minds to 
grasp. 

He always sees what is best in us and appeals to that. 
His sacrifice—infinite unselfishness ! 

His constancy. The same yesterday, to-day and for- 
ever.—REV. ROBERT F. CoyLe, D.D. 


Meee eres 


THE SCENE OF CALVARY 
“The place which is called Calvary.” Luke 23: 33. 


It was the scene of strange prodigies. 
It was the’scene of unequalled suffering. 
It was the scene of all-sufficient sacrifice. 
It was the scene of glorious triumph. 
It was the scene of peerless example. 


Apo N 4 


138 


CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


LESSONS FROM THE NAMES OF THE 


ORDINANCE 


“For I have received of the Lord that which also I deliv- 
ered unto you.” 1 Cor. 11: 23. 
The Lord’s Supper. 


ik 
. The Communion. 


2 

3. “Ihe Eucharist. 
4. 
5 


The Sacrament. 


. The Feast. 


LESSONS FROM THE NATURE OF THE 


ORDINANCE 


The Sacramental emblems. 


I. 


ARs 


The bread, the emblem of Christ’s body or human 
nature. 
The cup, the emblem of his blood or sacrifice for sin. 


Ii. The sacramental actions. 


Age 


6. 


On the part of Christ, who blessed the elements, and 
gave them with his-own hand to the disciples, after 
breaking the one and pouring out the other. 


5 FRA AEE gt ETO S 5 een 


On the part of the disciples, who received the bread x 


and wine, and partook of them. 
The sacramental words. 


. This is my body—the Incarnation. 
. This is my body which is broken—the Passion. 
. This is my body, which is broken for you—the Atone- 


ment. 


. This cup is the new testament in my blood—the 


Covenant of Grace. 


. This cup is the new testament in my blood, which 


was shed for many for the remission of sins—Justi- 
fication. 


Take, eat. Drink ye all of it—Faith. 


LESSONS FROM THE DESIGN OF THE 


ORDINANCE 


TOC OF ay eR) 


4 


It is commemorating. 


a 


’ 


LORD’S SUPPER SERMON OUTLINES 139 


It is confessing. 

It is communicating. 
It is covenanting. 
It is sealing. 


pip pore 


MEDITATION 


“While I was musing the fire burned.” Psa. 39: 3. 
I. Proper subjects of meditation. 
1. The character of God. 
2. His providential dealings. 
3. The plan of salvation. 
4. Our relation to God. 
6.7 Our future, 
Il. The benefits of meditation. 
1. The acquisition of religious power. 
2. The production of religious pleasure. 
3. The realization of religious hopes. 


—Rev. W. W. WYTHE. 


“COME AND DINE” 


“Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have ye any meat? 
They answered, No. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.” 
On 2h eros 

Our Lord did not need the great draft of fishes they had 
caught, by casting the net on the right side of the ship; he 
had bread and fish already on the fire. 

I. Where the faithful toiler is, Christ is always present. 
He is One among the lowly, ready to feed the hungry. 

IJ. After the meal is over, he has meat to give them they 
know not of. He says, “I am the living bread of life; he 
that eateth of me shall live by me. He that drinketh of the 
water I shall give him, shall never thirst.” ‘Therefore partake 
until the soul is fully satisfied. Christ’s peace is medicine to 
lessen pain; his love, food for the famished. 

III. He commissions his disciples to go forth and invite 
the world to come and dine, saying, “Go out into the high- 
ways and hedges and compel them to come in to my supper.”’ 
Bread may run short in famine and war, but he has an in- 


140 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES © 


exhaustible supply. He can feed thousands as well as one. 
The upper room, the Transfiguration Mount and the seaside 
were eating-places for, all the people who followed him. 

IV. When he breaks the bread, every place is a sacra- 
ment, every scene of fellowship is a Holy Communion supper 
with him. Bodily food is an emblem of the spiritual manna 


which comes down’from heaven. He helps in business life — 


as well as in soul prosperity. He tells where to cast the net 
for multitudes of fishes or for a lost world. Ask him, the 
great Guide; he knows the way, and how, when and where. 
Obey his command, launch out in the deep waters of his love, 
you who are standing on the shore fearful of the waves. 
He will not suffer you to sink down; his hands hold, his full- 
ness fills. Come and dine with the King of kings, the Lord 
of glory; his table is full and free and forever waiting your 
coming.—ReEv. E. W. CAswELL. 


COMMUNION ADDRESS 


‘This do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22: 19. 


- ae ae poe ue 
as a ee a ee “s 
Ry ee 


= ree 
ah 7 aa ote Se Se 


There is a retrospective view of the Lord’s Supper, a look- 


ing backward. There is an introspective view, a looking 
within one’s self, and there is a prospective view, a looking 
forward to the coming of Christ again. 

I. Retrospective. Looking backward, communion brings 
us face to face with Christ on the cross. Looking backward 
still more we see through a long line of changing scenes the 
passover down there in Egypt. The plan was that when the 
destroying angel saw the blood he would pass over that home. 


From that day the Hebrews have recognized the feast of the — 


passover. How significant that Jesus Christ should institute 
this feast of the Lord’s Supper at a time when the feast of 
the passover was being observed. While they were celebrat- 
ing the slaying of a lamb that saved life, he was dying, a lamb 
slain to take away the sin of the world. 

In looking backward we see our Saviour on the cross, break- 
ing his body and shedding his blood and in this sacrament we 
remember his death. 

II. Introspective. Let a man examine himself. Look into 
self and decide whether the heart is right or not. This is not 


™~ 


LORD’S SUPPER SERMON OUTLINES 141 


a class feast. It is for every one who is a child of the King. 
It is not for me to say who shall partake. It is not for the 
church to say, and I thank God that it is not for any man to 
set bounds on the Lord’s supper. You look into your own 
heart. By the light of God’s love look in. By the help of 
God’s Word look into your heart. Are you right with God? 
You say, “I am not right.” But shall that keep you away 
from the feast? No; that is the very reason why you need 
to come. This feast needs to be one of confession of sin. 
Do you feel your need of Christ? Let us all bow down and 
quietly pray that with the help of Jesus we may look into our 
own hearts and be made right with him. 

III. Prospective. “For as often as ye eat this bread and 
drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death till he 
come.” Jesus bids us look up. He bids us look forward. 
There is not a note of retrograde in all the Gospel of Christ. 
The Master said, “I will not leave you comfortless, I will 
come unto you.” He has gone to prepare a place for us. 
Then we are to show forth his death till he comes. We will 
do that by eating this bread and drinking this cup. This is 
a feast for our spiritual needs. Bread taken into our bodies 
causes them to grow and sustain life. Blood is emblematic 


of life. So these elements in a pictorial way are to feed our 


spiritual lives and cause them to develop. 

Also let us look forward to a better life—a greater degree 
of consecration—a more full-faith life and a more faithful 
life—a more useful life in service—a more interested life in 
doing the things for which he broke his body and shed his 
blood. Show forth this sacrifice till he come. He is coming 
again—yes, coming to get a full report of your life’s service. 
He wants you to be his living sacrifice so that the world may 
know of his death. Let us not fail him in this—ReEv. J. S. 
HOopGEs. ; 


SELF-EXAMINATION 


“Commune with your own heart.” Psa. 4: 4. 
I. The subjects of self-examination. 

1. Our sins. 

2. Our conversion. 


142 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


3. Our principles. 
4. Our pleasures. 
5. Our prayers. 
Il. The manner in which it should be conducted. 
I. Seriously: 
2. With reference to the Bible as a standard. 
3. With prayer for divine guidance. 
III. Its advantages. 
1. Self-knowledge will direct us in the use of the means 
of grace. 
2. Self-knowledge will assist us in the performance of 
religious duties. Make Communion blessed. 
3. Self-knowledge will guard us against temptation. 


COMMUNION A MEDITATION 


“Meditate upon these things.” 1 Tim. 4:15. 
I. The-nature of meditation. 

1. It is not mere thinking. 

2. It is not mere study. 


3. It is set and sustained thought for a practical purpose. 


II. The seasons of meditation. 
1. Periods of solitude. 
2. Times of sleeplessness. 
3. Seasons of sickness. 
4. The Sabbath. 
I. Rules for meditation. | 
1. Lay up a good store of scriptural truth in the mind 
beforehand. 


I] 


2. Banish every thought that is out of keeping with the — 


exercise. 
. Apply the whole force and energy of the soul. 
. Lift up the heart to God in prayer. 
. Let not the exercise be unduly protracted. 


wm R&R GO 


PART XIX: ARBOR DAY TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


Trees as Good Citizens. 

Trees as Friends and Protectors of All Wild Life. 

The Forest as Nature’s Workshop. 

Nature’s Praise: Psa. 35: 13. 

The City with Trees: ‘In the midst of the street of it, 
and on either side of the river was the tree of life.” Rev. 
Po Npae & 

The Unfading Leaf: “His leaf shall not wither.” Psa. 
ok3: 

Firmly Rooted: “And he shall be like.a tree planted.” 
Sarees 

God’s Planting: ‘““The trees of the Lord are full of sap; 
the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted.” Psa. 104: 16. 

The Good-News of Out-of-Doors: ‘And the Lord took the 
man and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to 
Pukeep it.) Gen. 2:15. 

Trees by a River: Psa. 1: 1-6. 

Porestuhextex 2 Kines) 19 539 5) Psa,'s0% 10%, Jer. 10 033 
ers 46523: 3 

Lessons from the Forests and Fields: Psa. 104: 1-35. 

Perpetual Arbor Day: Mark 4: 14. 

Plant a Tree: Rev. 22:2. 

Trees Teaching God’s Care: Num. 24: 5-9. 

Grafted On: Rom. 11: 16-24. 

Rest Under the Trees: ‘“‘Rest yourselves under the tree.” 
Gen. 18: 4. 

Wisdom Like a Tree: ‘‘She is a tree of life to those that 
lay hold upon her.” Prov. 3: 18. 

Some Lessons from Springtide: ‘For, lo, the winter is 
past,” etc. Song of Solomon 2: 11-13. | 

A Seed-Time Lesson: Matt. 13:3, 23. I. The Sower. The 
Lord Jesus. II. The Seed. The Word of God. III. The 


soils. The hearts of sinners. 
143 


144 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The Trees Teaching: 1. Pulled down. Conviction. 1 Kings 
636-9. 11 Planteds).. Conversion. Walviatt. (neiraiicin) 
Pruned. Education. John 15:2. IV. Plucked up. Ex- 
posure. Jude 12. 

A Spring-Time Lesson: “He that ploweth ought to plow 
in hopes) 1) Corn wr Omnis 

Trees Teaching Praise: 1 Chron. 16: 29-34. 

Trees Teaching Probation: Matt. 3: 5-10. 

A Tree Telling the Sin of Hypocrisy: Mark 11: 12-14. 

A Green Tree: Psa. 37: 23-36. 

Nature Praising God: “Then shall the trees of the wood 
rejoice before the Lord” Psa. 96: 12: 

Trees Entering into Man’s Joy: Isa. §5: 12, 13. 

Trees Teaching Us to Express Gratitude to God: Psa. 
Gott air: 

Wisdom a Tree of Life: Prov. 3: 18. 

Lessons from Fruitfulness and Non-Fruitfulness of Trees: 
Matt. 7 219-20. 

What Do the Trees Teach Us About God? Isa. 41: 19, 20. 
Gen. 1: 11, 12. 

How Do the Trees Seem to Enter into Man’s Joy? Isa. 
Roly 20s: 

Whom Does Isaiah Call “Trees of Righteousness’? Isa. 
oR ieee 

To What Does the Wise Man Compare Wisdom? Prov. 
Lhgit ge boy 

To What Does the Dore a Compare a Man Who Prusts 
imi Gods Jer TI y a. 

To What Wrong Use Had Man Put the Trees of the 
Wood? Isa. 44: 14-17. 


To What Does Jesus Liken the Kingdom of God? . Matt. : 


13: 3) 32. 
How is the Reward of Christian Faithfulness Symbolized in 
the Revelation? Rev. 2:7; 22:1, 14. 


PART XX: ARBOR DAY SERMON 
OUTLINES | 


MEN AND TREES: ARBOR DAY TALK 


Men in the Bible are in many places compared to trees. 
There are good trees and corrupt ones, good men and bad 
men. ‘A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can 
a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” So with men: “By 
their fruits ye shall know them.” 

The godly man is “‘like the tree planted by the rivers of 

water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season . . . what- 
soever he doeth shall prosper.” Stephen was spoken of as 
being a good man, and was full of faith and the Holy Ghost. 
A good man is one who not only has the indwelling presence 
of the Holy Ghost but also the fruits of the Spirit. 
_ The Tree of life bears twelve manner of fruit and yields 
‘her fruit every month, an ever green and ever bearing tree. 
‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.’ The righteous 
flourish like the palm tree. The palm is tropical, and tropical 
fruit grows the year round; just so those who have the fruits 
of the Spirit, have their ‘‘fruit unto holiness” and are always 
‘abounding in the works of the Lord.” They do not wither, 
but grow like the cedars of Lebanon. 

Some of the joys are love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, 
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, virtue, knowledge, 
godliness; here are at least twelve manner of fruits, and those 
who are established in the Christian graces, who have been 
purged from dead works to serve the living God are like “the 
trees of the Lord,” “‘full of sap,” being filled with the fruits 
of righteousness. “The same bringeth forth much fruit.” 
—L. B. W. ) 


145 


146 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


GIDEON UNDER THE OAK, OR A HERO 
COMMISSIONED 


Judges 6: 11. 

The Bible, an:arboretum. Full of trees. 

Its trees are eloquent. Shadow great events. 

The oak was supposed to be abode of spirits, v. 12. 

1. Gideon is hospitable to divine guests, v. 19. 

2. The call comes to a busy man, v. 11. 

3. Our hero is God-armed, v. 14. 

4. Gideon is assured by Divine Fire, v. 21. 

Conclusion: The Divine arrest in human life. Appropriate — 
the strength of the oak.—Rev. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


PERPETUAL ARBOR DAY 


Mark 4: 14. 

Describe the Arbor-Day movement, the spoliation of forest — 
lands, and the need of replanting. Draw then the parallel 
between planting seeds of trees and planting the gospel: (a) in 
new countries, and (b) by personal work. 

1. Planting seeds of kindness. | 
Preparing the soil, by helpful service, in other hearts. — 
What seeds am I planting? 4 
The inevitable growth of influences that we scatter. 
Bach’ man ‘like'a tree.) yisa, 11. 

Sowing seeds in young people’s minds. 


Sid a eee 


THE SEED WE ARE SOWING 


‘“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”’ Gal. 
Seat f ; 
This is seedtime. We look around us and we see the 
farmers sowing the various kinds of seeds; and the women 
are sowing their garden and flower seed. But they are very 
careful to select the best seed. 

As it is now time for planting seed in the ground, it is 
also time for planting it in the heart, for we are sowing seed 
of some kind every day. Just as the seed planted in the 
ground must be good seed, and carefully tended, so the seeds 


ARBOR DAY SERMON OUTLINES 147 


_ in our hearts must be good. Our thoughts should be pure, for 
they are the seed, and our deeds are the fruits. 

1. Weare planting and cultivating all the time. We leave 
impressions on those with whom we come in contact, and in- 
fluence them for better or worse. “Sow an act and you reap 
a habit; sow a habit and you reap a destiny.’’ Since this is 
true, how necessary that we nourish only pure thoughts and 
form ennobling habits. | 

A sunny smile, a cheerful answer, a loving deed, a little 
song and a sympathetic word will all be precious seed that 
will grow to lovely flowers for Jesus. So let us sow such seed 
bountifully. 

Many good Christians have sown the good seed, but have 
laid down their work and passed over the river to take up a 
nobler work. Some one must take their place. “Whose 
place will you take?” 

There was once a boy who had a remarkable dream. He 
thought that the richest man in town came to him and said: 
‘T am tired of my house and grounds; come and take care of 
them and I will give them to you.” Next came an honored 
_ judge and said: “I want you to take my place; 1 am weary 
of being in court day after day. I will give you my seat on 
the bench if you will do my work.’”? Then came a doctor and 
wanted him to take his place. And last came a drunkard and 
said: “I am wanted to fill a drunkard’s grave. I have come 
to see if you will take my place in these saloons and on these 
streets.’’ I wonder whose place that boy took. 

Years ago a man, interested in bee culture, drove along 
the roads, in a certain section of Illinois, and scattered sweet 
clover seed as he went. He threw out small quantities of 
seed, first on one side of the road and then on the other. 
The seed grew, the plant spread, and now, in midsummer, 
the roads for miles and miles are lined with the sweet clover. 
Most farmers say the plant is a nuisance, and that it is spread- 
ing to their fields. A few people see some good in it, espe- 
cially the bee men and those who permit their cattle to graze 
by the roadside. But the sweet clover is there, and it is 
there to stay, all because some man scattered a small amount 
of seed here and there as he passed along. 

2. Well, how about the seed that we purpose sowing on 


148 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


life’s land? What kind of seed are we preparing to sow? 
We do not have special reference to the work done in the — 
open, for that is usually well guarded, but we refer to per- 
sonal influence—REV. JOHN LEMLEyY, D.D. | 


TREES OF THE LORD 


“The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of — 
Lebanon, which he hath planted.” Psa. 104: 16. : 
Even a careless reader of the Bible must be impressed by 
the fact that trees figure prominently in the Scriptures, stand- 
ing for various truths and preaching many a beautiful homily. 
They are the chief feature in the Garden of Eden, and only 
disappear with the fading out of the last vision of the Apoca- 
lypse. Under their grateful shade the forefathers of the race 
find rest in primitive simplicity. They give names to cities, 
Jericho being the City of Fragrance, and Tappuah (Josh. 
15:34), Apple-town; while the chief natural feature in the 
vicinity of Jerusalem was and is the Mount of Olives. Nor 
should the twentieth century after Christ, carefully setting 
aside its forest reserve, forget that in earliest legislation of 
the chosen people were laws especially protecting these beau- 
tiful and beneficent gifts of God, even. amid the devastations 
of war, from ruthless destruction. Had those laws been faith- 
fully observed, Palestine might still be a land of brooks and 
orchards, its hills covered with flocks, its valleys rich with © 

corn. 

I. The tree figures in the Bible'as a favorite symbol of a 
godly man. The man filled with the spirit of the Almighty 
seemed to the poet prophet a veritable ‘“Tree of Righteous- 
ness” (Isa. 61:3), an oak of Mamre or a cedar of Lebanon, 
able to resist a stormy wind and furious tempest. Such a man 
is no bowing bulrush, no clinging vine. He is swept but not 
swayed, arboreal in his vigor and forever resilient. Like 
some giant cottonwood planted by irrigating streams, for such 
is the symbolism of the First Psalm, his life is fed by hidden 
streams; and amid the burning noons of the Assyrian summer 
his leaf remains bright with the freshness of abundant life. 

II. For the glory of a tree is not in its simple strength, 
but in that union of strength, beauty and utility which no other 
floral product possesses to anything like the same degree. Its 


ARBOR DAY SERMON OUTLINES 149 


charm is not that of some red aguille of the Alps jutting 
heavenward in threatening grandeur. Its strength is not even 
that of a marble pillar, dull and cold. But its power is robed 
in flowing lines, its mighty limbs enveloped in graceful vest- 
ments. It would be difficult for us to say which charms us 
most, the pyramidal fir, the plumy elm or the swaying willow. 

III. But beyond the question of their strength, and above 
all thoughts of beauty, the trees of the Lord are rich in their 
beneficence. Our republic has wakened slowly to the value 
of its forests, awakened after the ruthless ax in a single state 
has reduced four million acres to a desert. We have been 
consuming our trees for all purposes at the rate of forty mil- 
lion cubic feet a year. Yet upon them we depend for the 
even flow of our rivers, for the graceful repose accorded to 
our flocks, as well as for the fruits with which we close our 
most epicurean feasts. ew persons realize the extent to 
which tree-fruits enter into the food of the nation. We read 
that the Arab knows few wants which the date-palm does not 
through one or the other of its products supply. We know 
that the South Sea Islander finds in the breadfruit tree all his 
table needs. Of late years we have found in the banana 
ccndiment and nutrition combined. But we have scarcely 
begun to realize the source of wealth which is to be found in 
a plantation of oranges, of peaches, apples, prunes, or pears. 

IV. That man who is a Tree of Righteousness is not 
simply strong as an oak and spiritually beautiful as an elm 
is physically perfect, but he is a blessing to the world in which 
God planted him. He becomes a shade to the weary and 
the fruit of his abundant life supplies food to the exhausted 
toiler. He may at first appear like his Great Master to be 
little more than a branch from the stem of some greater name 
in the past, but the world will find him at last like those aged 
and luxuriant olives planted in the holy courts of the sacred 
temple upon Moriah’s heights “bringing forth fruit in old 
age,” and to the last hour of a well-prolonged life a benedic- 
tion. And when at last the world misses his presence and 
mourns his loss there is for him the joyful and well assured 
hope that “if he be cut down,” he will spring forth again, 
and the tender branch of his divinely implanted life will grow 
again in the paradise of God. 


150 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


A SERMON FOR BOYS AND GIRLS 


‘He shall be like a tree.” Psa. 1: 3. 

You have had ‘‘Arbor Day.’ You have planted a tree or 
have helped. At least you have looked on to see others plant 
trees. You have recited poetry about the trees. Youalllove — 
trees. The Bible says much about trees. Much of the country — 
of the Bible was dry, and a tree was a delight. We read of 
the palm trees of the desert; the cedars of Lebanon; the oaks 
of Bashan; the fir and the box, and the bay, and the syca- 
more and the pine. We all delight in trees. Arbor Day is 
good. The text says a godly man is like a tree. Why? Let 
us see. 

I. Because he amounts to something. He is not even a 
weed, not even a flower, not grass, not a bush nor a shrub. 
All these have their teaching, but they have little character 
as compared with a tree. You can look up to a tree and 
admire it. he Bible sometimes calls them “‘trees of God,”’ 
mighty ones. So aman when he becomes a Christian has sins 
forgiven him; his nature is changed. He begins to grow 
for the ages. He is no shrub. ‘He shall be like a tree,” 
and that is something that abides. When you look at a great 
oak next summer think what a noble thing a Christian is as 
God plans. 

II. We like a tree because it stays. You know where to 
find it. It can be depended upon. You plant a good tree 
and its roots fix themselves in the soil, deeply and widely. It 
abides. It could not be true in any other way. So a godly 
man has deep roots. He must stay somewhere. He cannot 
fulfill his mission and grow in character without the stability — 
which makes him like a tree. It is a good deal to say of any 
man: “You can always tell where to find him.” When you 
are tempted then to move, to give up your work, to flit away 
to this and to that as fancy may take you, remember the tree. 
Whenever an uneasy spirit takes hold of you, remember the 
tree. The tree commands your respect because it stays. It 
is what it is and does the work it does because it is content 
to stay. Its roots run deep and find out hidden springs be- 
cause it stays. Many do not stay long enough to find out 
the good that is hidden for them. Most Christians of this 


: 
| 


ARBOR DAY SERMON OUTLINES 151 


restless age need to learn the parable of the tree. Churches 


need it. Ministers need it. Children need it. 


III. The tree spoken of in this text is a planted tree. It 
is not a wild tree that springs up and grows anywhere. It 
has been transplanted with care, and put into a place most 
favorable for its good. So is the godly man. God has taken 
hold of him. In most cases it was when he was little. Per- 
haps he found him where the wild beasts would tread him 
down; perhaps there was no good soil; perhaps there was no 
moisture; perhaps where all the storms of the desert could 
blow upon him. He has taken pains to plant him carefully in 
the right spot. 

There are two things about this planting. The first we 
shall find in the Ninety-second Psalm, thirteenth verse: 
‘“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish 
in the courts of our God.” So the Christian, if he is going 
to be like a tree in character, must be planted in the church. 
That is the place for him. There he will flourish and bear 
fruit. 

But the second thing is spoken of in the first Psalm. ‘He 
shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” Wherever 


_ you find trees in a dry country you may be sure there is under- 


ground water. Look and you will find a spring. Just as at 
Elim, where the children of Israel encamped, there were 
‘‘three-score and ten palm trees and twelve wells of water.” 
What does the water mean? Always God’s truth.—REv. 
ADDISON BEANCHARD. 


A MESSAGE FROM SPRINGTIME 


“He hath made everything beautiful in its time.” Eccl. 
ctr: 

Test this statement of the Wise Man and see how true it is. 

I. In nature everything is beautiful. ‘There is no other 
white that compares with the whiteness of the snow. There 
is no blue so deep and marvelous as the blue of the sky. There 
is no crimson like the crimson of the sunset. Painters cannot 
portray nature. ‘hey try, but their best efforts only convince 
us how far short human art is of the divine. 

He hath made everything beautiful. If it is not so it is 


152 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


because sin has marred it. Wherever on earth you find ugli- , 
ness and filth and hate, there you know man has been, for God 


has made everything beautiful. 


II. More than this, he has made everything beautiful — 


through and through. Recently we saw a house that was 


being torn down. The front of it was very handsome. It — 
was as perfect as the workmen could make it. But away in © 
the back, where human eyes did not often rest upon it, it — 
was cheap and flimsy. This is a characteristic of everything © 


that is human-made. It will not bear too close a scrutiny. 
But the things that God has made are thoroughly beau- 


tiful. The inside of the flower which you cannot see is as — 


lovely as that which your eyes rest upon. The more closely 


you examine the snow-flake under the glass the more wonderful — 
it is. It was this that led the world’s greatest botanist to 


cry out, as he saw the flower that was revealed by his micro- 
scope, ‘I have seen the glory of God pass by.” 

“But,” you say, “I know of many things that are not beau- 
tiful. ‘There is a rainy day for example, or a sorrowing 
heart. ‘These things are not beautiful and no one can con- 
vince me that they are.” 


III. But look carefully at the words of the text. ‘‘He hath | 
made everything beautiful in its time.” A rainy day is not — 


beautiful in your time. But you are impatient. Wait its 
time. Wait till the clouds break, and the sun shines through, 
and the bow spans the heavens, and the vegetation, bright and 
green, smiles in your face. 

Sorrow is not beautiful in your time. But tarry a little. 
James M. Barrie, in his “Margaret Ogilvie,” tells us how 


his mother came to have her sweet face. It was long before — 


when he was a little child. There came one day to the door 
of their home a neighbor with the tidings that her son, her 


eldest, had been fatally hurt. She went at once and for days — 


she watched beside him and then the end came. Every one 
knew how terrible had been the blow to her as she came back 
and took up the tasks of life again. Those who saw her then, 
said Barrie, understood where she got her sweet face, and 
that gentle voice that was never raised in anger, and that 
sympathetic heart that brought the neighbors first to her 


ARBOR DAY SERMON OUTLINES 153 


when they were in trouble. God had made her beautiful in 
the time when sorrow had done its refining work. 

There is nothing that God ever made or ordered that did 
not have in it a beauty and glory if we bide his time.—REv. 
STUART NyE HutTcuHinson, D.D. 


A SPRING-TIME LESSON 


‘He that ploweth ought to plow in hope.’ 1 Cor. 9: 10. 

Paul is speaking about apostolic liberty and the right of the 
worker to expect some reward for his work. 

I. Toil that is devoid of anticipation becomes drudgery; 
to plow in hope—that is the secret of efficient labor. ‘The 
toiler’s hope is the idea of creating, or putting something into 
the world that was not there before. This gives work a 
sanctity; this lifts the mind above the slavery of daily routine. 

Have you ever seen a Vermont farmer take a piece of 
worthless-looking land, that can be hired for a few dollars an 
acre, drive his plow through its rocky soil, harrow it, fertilize 
it, and seed it and then after the sun and the rain have had a 
_ chance at it, harvest a crop that is worth forty dollars an acre? 
He has created something to enrich the life of man. Have 
you seen a village carpenter take a tree and, by honest toil, 
convert it into chairs or the foundation of a house? There 
is something intangibly sacred in the expression of his face 
_as he stands off and surveys the creative product of his hands. 


‘Toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing, 
Onward through life he goes; 

Each morning sees some task begun, 
Each evening sees its close; 

Something attempted, something done, 
Has earned a night’s repose.” 


II. The field may seem small and mean, but to make it 
yield even so little is to plow in hope.—C. 5S. C. 


PART XXI: ASCENSION DAY TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


“When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, 
and gave gifts unto men.” Eph. 4: 8. 

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was re- 
ceived up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” 
Mark 16: 19. 

“And it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted 
from them, and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24: 51. 

“He was taken up and a cloud received him out of their 
Sint NCES It On 

The Last Beatitude ae the Ascended Christ: “Blessed are 
they that do his commandments, that they may have right to 
the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the 
Cy. Revit 2114. 

After His Ascension: “And ye also shall bear witness of 
me, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” John 
Tgienaty. : 

The Glorification of the Lord: ‘He was received up into 
heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 14:19. © 
The glorification was: 1. As Prophet. 2. As Priest. 3. As | 
King. | 


154 


PART XXII: ASCENSION DAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


LESSONS FROM THE ASCENSION 


‘‘And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted 
from them, and carried up into heaven.” Luke 14: 51. 

I. Since our Lord is ascended we are never to think of him 
as dead. 

II. Since our Lord is thus alive we are to be sure that 
all the great offices pertaining to his exaltation are in active 
exercise. 

1. He stands in heaven to-day the living Head of his 
redeemed church. 

2. He stands in heaven to-day our priestly advocate. 

3. He stands in heaven to-day as the controller of all 
things in God’s proyidential government. 

IJ. Since our Lord has ascended we are never to think of 
him as distant. 


‘Closer he is than breathing, 
And nearer than hands and feet.”’ 


IV. Since our Lord has ascended we are never to think of 
him as different. 


HEAVEN’S ASCENSION DAY MESSAGE 


“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? 
This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall 
so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.” 
mActsor LT: | 

I. A rebuke to inactive curiosity—“Not for you to know 
times or seasons.”’ 

II. A reminder of human limitation—‘‘Many things to 


say... ye cannot bear them now. .. .”’ John 16: 12. 
155 


156 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


| 


III. An intimation for faith to be exercised in service— — 


“Ye shall be my witnesses.”’ 
IV. As assurance of a similar return—“In like manner as 
ye beheld him going to heaven.”—C. R. 5. 


AN ASCENDED YET EVER-PRESENT LORD 


“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” — 


Matt. 28: 20. 
These are the final words of a gospel, but the inaugural 
words of a ministry. “They seem to mark the close of a dis- 


pensation, yet they open a perspective to the “end of the — 


world.” They mark the end of a temporal relationship, but 
the beginning of an eternal one. 


I. This seems not impossible when the unique speaker is — 


taken into account—Emmanuel, glorified and risen. 
II. The only condition of fulfillment devolves upon the 
human chosen ones who receive and obey. 
III. The resultant comfort is especially adapted to human 
longings. 
1. In temptations, ‘Temptations lose their power when 
thou art nigh.” 
2. Sorrow or adversity: ‘““Though I walk through the 
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for 
thou art with me.’’—C. R. S. 


CAPTIVITY LED ,CAPTIVE 


“Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led 
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men,” etc. Eph. 4: 8-10. 


The first step in the exaltation of Christ was his resurrec- 


tion from the dead. The’second step was his ascension into 
heaven. ‘This is the topic set forth in the words of the text, 
which we proceed to consider in the fourfold view in which it 
is here presented. 

I. The manner in which he ascended. ‘When he ascended 
up on high he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” 
The character under which he is here spoken of is that of a 
mighty conqueror. His ascension was his public entrance into 
the eternal city. As it was usual for conquerors to distribute 


ASCENSION DAY SERMON OUTLINES 157 


presents among their followers, so it is here said of our vic- 
torious Lord that he ‘‘gave gifts unto men.” 
II. The state from which he ascended. ‘‘Now, that he 
ascended, what is it,’ etc. This may include, 
1. His incarnation. 
2. His assumption of our nature in its humblest con- 
ditronay yu) 
3. His death and burial. | | 
Ill. The place’to which he ascended. It was “far above 
all heavens.”’ In his humiliation he became low indeed; but 
what his humiliation was in its unparalleled depth, that his 
exaltation was in its matchless and inconceivable height. Was 
he tender and loving on earth? He is “the same also” in 
heaven. 
IV. The design for which he ascended. “That he might 
fill all things.’ The expression includes two particulars: 
1. That he might fill all things with his influence. 
2. That he might direct and overrule all things by his 
wisdom and power. 


CARRIED UP INTO HEAVEN 


‘And he led them out as far as Bethany; and he lifted up 
his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he 
blessed them, he was parted from them and carried up into 
heaven.” Luke 24: 50, 51. 

The ascension of Christ occurred forty days after his resur- 
rection. During this time he manifested himself to his dis- 
ciples to convince them of the certainty of his resurrection, as 
well as to give directions in carrying on the work of evange- 
lizing the world. | 

I. The place of his ascension. ‘“‘He led them out as far as 
to Bethany.” ‘There was a great deal of propriety in select- 
ing this place. Near Bethany was the Mount of Olives, to 
which the Saviour often retired for prayer. ‘The garden of 
Gethsemane, where his sufferings began, was also close by. 
Near the spot where his sufferings began, there also his glory 
was to commence. 

II. The circumstances that attended his ascension. 


1. “He lifted up his hands and blessed them.” His last 


158 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


act upon earth was blessing his disciples. How well — 
did such a conclusion suit the rest of his life. ‘The 
disciples never forgot the uplifted hands of their 
. Master. | 

2. ‘A cloud received him out of their sight.’ No whirl- 
winds, no thunders, no chariot of fire. The Saviour 
of the world was gently received up in a cloud; in 
harmony with the peaceful spirit of the Gospel and 
its Author. 

3. Angels were also present. They were present at the 
creation of the world; at the birth of our Lord; at 
his resurrection, and now again at his ascension. 

III. The purposes of his ascension. 

1. By it, was shown that the object of coming into the 
world was fulfilled. 

2. By it, Christ again came into possession of the glory 
of which he had divested himself. 

3. That he might act, in the presence of God, as our 

interceding High Priest. 
That he might exercise, in heaven, the office of King. 
To send the Holy Ghost. 


wp 


CHRIST’S ASCENSION 


‘While they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received — 
him out of their sight.”” Acts 1:9. 

The account of the ascension of Christ is the connecting 
link between gospel history and Christian church history, be- 
tween the work of Jesus during his early life and his con- 
tinued work ever since. It contains the finish of the most 
important episode of history, the earthly sojourn of God in- 
carnate. It contains the beginning of that sojourn’s most tran- 
scendent result, the mediatorial and yet-to-be triumphant reign 
of Jesus. 

I. Christ’s life in the world is divided into action and doc- 
trine, the things he did and the things he taught. Luke had 
written to his friend Theophilus before. But he wants him 
to know that the ‘‘former treatise’ was only about beginnings. 
The things spoken of were the things Jesus ‘“‘began to do and 
teach.” His present writing he wishes him to understand as 


ASCENSION DAY SERMON OUTLINES 159 


a second volume of the acts of Jesus and a further record of 
the teachings of Jesus. Well we know to-day that “began’”’ 
does not stop with any written record. The fountain has be- 
come the source of an ever-flowing river of grace giving the 
world an ever-widening stream of blessing. ‘The gist of the 
gospel is that Jesus lives to-day and personally directs his 
followers. 

II. The continued acts of Christ are “through the Holy 
Ghost.” He had told his disciples that it was really expedient 
that he should go away, in order that his greater work through 
the Holy Ghost might begin. Whatever was done, therefore, 
after Christ’s death and resurrection, after he had finished his 
great work of atonement, was to be regarded in a particular 
sense as under the influence of the Holy Ghost. Even his 
parting instructions and commission to the apostles were to 
be regarded as coming within the department of the peculiar 
activity of the Holy Spirit. Under these instructions and 
accompanied by this Spirit the apostles were to go forth and 
by his aid to convert the world. 

III. While he was speaking the farewell moment arrived. 
Lifting up his hands in blessing and “while they beheld’’— 
that they might have clear proof of his ascension, assurance 
that there was no deception—he began to rise from the earth 
and ascend higher and higher until ‘“‘a cloud received him out 
of their sight.” It is impossible to add to that simple ac- 
count. It may have been some glorious cloud like that symbol 
of God, the “‘fiery, cloudy pillar,” or Elijah’s “storm chariot,” 
or the bright halo of the transfiguration. But no attempt is 
made to cause the event to seem dramatic. Seen from the 
earth side, how quietly done! But seen from the heaven side, 
what a spectacle it must have been: “Lift up your heads, O 
ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King 
of glory shall come in!” 

IV. Even gazing into heaven must not be too prolonged 
or fixed. At the expostulation of the angels the apostles with- 
drew their wistful eyes and returned obediently to Jerusalem, 
no doubt comforting themselves with the thought of his re- 
turn. They went back not knowing exactly what to do; but 
content to wait until he should tell them. They go to the 
upper room, where they had eaten their last passover supper 





160 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


with the Lord. They found the other disciples there. With — 
them they ‘‘waited.”” They waited by prayer, by conference — 
together, by doing necessary duties. ‘The waiting was not — 
sleeping with folded hands. It was alert and obedient. We 
know the blessing they received. Mere gazing up to heaven © 
will do nothing for us; but prayer in the upper chamber will — 
do everything. Now we are to work and wait knowing that — 
our Saviour is exalted at God’s right hand and is controlling — 
all things in his kingdom for the good of mankind and his own 
ultimate glory—H. 


THE ASCENDED LORD 


Lukes ae cosic x: 

I. Ascended—there is enlargement of the blessings that 
come through him. 

II. Ascended—let our hearts follow him there. 

III. Ascended—we shall follow him there. 

IV. Ascended—let us be faithful to him until we ascend. 

In the sacrament (sacramentum, oath) we renew our oath 
of allegiance to him. 


THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST — 
Luke 24: 50-53. 


The ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ is of greater im- 
portance than is usually realized. Here we have the Son of 
God—the Son of Man—the Saviour of the world departing. 
If his incarnation was so much of an event and his active 
ministry so notable, here is where it stopped as far as his 
personal appearance is concerned. 

1. But consider the ascension from the standpoint of a 
Farewell and you will realize a weighty hour—what a moment 
in the life of the men who saw him—felt him, etc. The 
world ignoring him could not help but see and feel his won- 
derful influence while he was about ministering—yet ignoring 
him. So the world could not help but take notice of his 
death: “Earth was dark and trembled.” Its inhabitants sore 
afraid, etc. ‘Surely this must have been the Son of God,” 
some cried. And now I can well reason that if the world 


ASCENSION DAY SERMON OUTLINES 161 


was so set in commotion at his coming and at the time of 
his dying, that surely his departure was of no small moment. 

2. The ascension is not only a farewell, but consider it 
from the standpoint of an attainment—a victory—a fulfill- 
ment and, thank God, an accomplishment. 

Here was demonstrated the truth of his words, “I go to 
prepare a place for you.’”’ Then as well as now many people 
disregarded the fact that there is a Heaven. Here Heaven 
opened, etc. 

Here broke out upon them the Light of the Son of Man. 
Here he was recognized as God’s Son—as a Deity—‘‘And 
they worshiped him.”” ‘The uplifted arms were the arms and 
hands that labored and suffered, blessed and helped, appeared 
over them as never before to give his most wonderful bless- 
ing—well may they bow their heads, for God is going into 
his own; into his power; into his victory; into his Heaven. 
Well may his people go back to Jerusalem and go “with 
great joy.” Heaven has not only come down to earth, but 
there is now a connection between earth and Heaven. For 
soon the Holy Spirit will come. (It would not come other- 
wise.) Soon the Light of a new Hope—the truth of a new 
Life will fill the hearts of men with a Holy Spirit—REv. 
R. H. MvueE cper. 


PART XXIII: MOTHER’S DAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


The Possibilities of Motherhood: “The price of a virtuous 
woman is far above rubies,” etc. Prov. 31: 10-31. 

Our Debt to Motherhood: “Render, therefore, to all their 
dues, .:...honor to whom Honor,’ étc.. Ram 13:77. 

The Wise Son: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, 
and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Prov. 15: 20. 

An Uiter Folly: “A foolish man despiseth his mother.” 
Proven ns: 

Love to Parents: “Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and 
my mother, and then I will follow thee.” 1 Kings 19: 20. 

The Law of Thy Mother: “My son, keep thy father’s com- 
mandments, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Prov. 
Oi20: 

A Divine Command: “For God commanded saying, Honor 
thy father and mother.” Matt. 15: 4. 

Family Devotion: “Behold, I and the children whom the 
Lord hath given me.” Isa. 8:18. 

Jesus’ Mother: “Is not his mother called Mary?” Matt. 
Be edt hoge ; 

A Mother’s Thoughts: “But his mother kept these sayings 
and pondered them in her heart.’ Luke 2: 51. 





The Mother’s Cross: ““His mother stood by the cross.” ~ 


John 19:25. 

A Christian Mother: “Salute Rufus and his mother.” Rom. 
Ti a he 

A Mother’s Care: ‘“‘And he delivered him to his mother.” 
Pike! 7271 8. 

A Mother's Huri: “‘A foolish son is the heaviness of his 
mother.” Prov. 10:1. 

The Blessing Omitted: ‘“There is a generation that curseth 
their father, and doth not bless their mother.” Prov. 30: 11. 


A Good Mother: ‘When I call to remembrance the uns 
162 


MOTHER’S DAY TEXTS AND THEMES 163 


_ feigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grand- 
mother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded 
min thee also.” 2 ‘Lim. 1: 5. 

A Mother’s Comfort: ‘““As one whom his mother comfort- 
eth, so will I comfort thee.” Isa. 66: 13. 

(Our Mothers—An Appreciation: ‘When Jesus, therefore, 
- saw his mother,” etc. John 19: 26, 27. 

‘| God and Motherhood: “For God commanded saying, 
Honor thy father and mother.” Matt. 15: 4. 

A Holy Family: “Behold I and the children whom the Lord 
hath given me.” Isa. 8: 18. 

A Mother’s Wages: ‘Take this child and nurse it for me 
and I will give thee thy wages.” Ex. 2:9. 

The Nobility of Motherhood: ‘The price of a virtuous 
woman is far above rubies,” etc. Prov. 31: 10-13. 

Honoring Father and Mother: Ex. 20:12; Prov. 30:11. 

‘The Encircling Love and Loyalty of Mother: “And the 
man called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother 
of all living.’ Gen. 3: 20. 

The Power of Purity: “Keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim. 5: 22. 

The Blessing of Purity: “Blessed are the pure in heart for 
they shall see God.”” Matt. 5: 8. 

The Mother Love: ‘Can a woman forget her child?” Isa. 
49:15. 

An Anxious Mother: ‘‘Then came to him the mother of the 
sons of Zebedee.”’ Matt. 20: 20. : 

The High Mission of the Mother: “Behold King Solomon 
with his crown wherewith his mother crowned him.” Sol. 
Song 3:11. 

Pure in Thought and Speech: ‘“The words of the pure are 
pleasant words.” Prov. 15: 26. 

Purity of Imagination: ‘““Whatsoever things are pure... . 
think on these things.”’ Phil. 4: 8. 

Promises to Children: “Honor thy father and thy mother; 
that thy days may.be long upon the land which the Lord thy 
God giveth thee.” Ex. 20: 12. 

The Wise Son: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, 
and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Prov. 1: 8. 

Thy Father and Thy Mother: “The father of the righteous 
shall greatly rejoice; and he that begetteth a wise child shall 





164 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, © 
and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” Prov. 23: 24, 25. : 
Love to Parents: ‘Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and © 
my mother, and then I will follow thee.”’ 1 Kings 19: 20. " 
A Divine Command: “For God commanded saying, Honor ~ 
thy father and mother.”’ Matt. 15: 4. « 
Family Devotion: “Behold, I and the children whom th 
Lord hath given me.” Isa. 8: 18. 
The Father’s Family: ‘““That ye may be the children of your 
Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:45. : 
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle: ‘Moreover his mother — 
made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to ~ 
year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly © 
Sacrifices); ir Samii? 719.) ; 
Grieving Mother: “A foolish son is the heaviness of his 
mother,” Prov. 10% '¥. 
A Mother's Way: “But his mother kept these sayings and 
pondered them in her heart.”” Luke 2: 51. 

The Mother Influence: ““When I call to remembrance the 
unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grand- 
mother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that 
in thee also.7).) 2) Dimi 1's \a. 

Type of Best Consolation: ‘‘As one whom his mother com- ~ 
forteth, so will I comfort thee.’”’ Isa. 66:13. 

Sign of Degeneracy: ‘“There is a generation that curseth © 
their father, and doth not bless their mother.” Prov. 30: 11. 

God’s Jealousy for Parents: “Tne eye that mocketh at his 
father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the © 
valley shall pick it out, and the yourg eagles shall eat it.” 
Prov. 30:17. 2 





+ et ae 





PART XXIV: MOTHER’S DAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


THE HIGH MISSION OF THE MOTHER 


“Behold King Solomon with his crown wherewith his 

mother crowned him.” Sol. Song 3: 11. 

No wonder the noblest men have uttered the sweetest words 
_ of tongue or pen about her who is dearest of all loved ones. 
Even they could express but little of the beautiful devotion of 
motherhood. For from her did we not learn our childlike 
faith in God? Did she not teach us to be good and do good, 
dedicating us from infancy to the service and love of the 
heavenly Father? Thinking about the angel-mother is almost 
enough to transfigure the soul into the likeness she bore of 
- her blessed Master. 

A friend asked a rich Roman matron to see her most 
precious jewels; she immediately gathered her children around 
her and said, “These are my jewels.”’ Every mother knows 
that these may be stars in her crown of rejoicing forever. Her 
children have a beginning in parenthood, but no ending in 
God’s endless years. 

It is thus parents can help adorn their children with the 
beautiful crown of character, and these redeemed ones be- 
come their own crown in the presence of the Lord at his 
coming. Faithfulness in the family brings its own reward in 
pearls of purity, gems of peace and diamonds of gracefulness 
that will never cease to shine-—ReEv. E. W. CAsweELL. 


MOTHER 


‘Forsake not the law of thy mother.” Prov. 6: 20. 
Between Easter and Children’s Day, how beautiful to ob- 
serve a Mothers’ Memorial Day; the white carnation, the 
memory flower, is an emblem of the purity and fragrance in 
165 


i 


166 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 





the lives of holy motherhood. Jesus, Home and Mother are © 


words that touch the heart of the world deeper than any 
others. If it is an angel mother, she makes heaven more in- 
viting; if still in the earthly home, she is the guide and un- 
changeable friend, moving about in sweet ministries and loving 
service. 


{ 


A friend said to S. S. Prentice, “I congratulate the mother ~ 


who has such a son.” He replied, ‘Rather congratulate the 
son on having such a mother.”’ Richter says, ““To a man who 
has had a noble mother, all women are sacred for her sake.” 
The mother, more than any other, affects the moral and 
spiritual part of the children’s character. She is their con- 
stant companion and teacher in formative years. The child is 
ever imitating and assimilating the mother nature. It is only 
in after life that men gaze backward and behold how a 
mother’s hand and heart of love molded their young lives and 
shaped their destiny. 

No child can fully realize the intensity of a mother’s 
anxiety as she bids good-by to the son or daughter going out 
of the old home to enter school or business life. She realizes 


that she will not be able to give counsel as in their younger | 


days; she does not need to promise to remember them in her 
prayers. She cannot help praying—every breath is prayer. 
Oh, that the youth of America may be true to their mothers 
and their mothers’ God.—ReEv. E. W. CasweE Lt, D.D. 


OUR DEBT TO MOTHERHOOD 


“Render, therefore, to all their dues. . . . Honor to whom 
honor (is due). Rom. 13:7. 

Let us render honor to whom honor is due. First of all, 
let us honor our mothers. To them most of us owe more than 
to any other human beings. They were the first persons with 
whom we had to do in this world and for a long time were 
the most important persons in our lives. If we honor our 
mothers we are likely to honor where it is due. 

I. First, let us honor our mothers, for to them we owe 
our lives. At no small cost to themselves, they have given 
us our lives. This is obvious, but it is also obvious that we 
are in danger of forgetting it in these days of advanced 





MOTHER’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 167 


thought. This service, the perpetuation of the race, would 
seem to be the basic service, the service upon which all de- 
velopment and progress depend. 

To what woman do you and I look to-day as the best and 
noblest of her kind? To what woman do we look with su- 
preme gratitude and reverence? Is it to Deborah, the Hebrew 
heroine, who led the forces of Israel to victory when men 
skulked in their tents? Is it Joan of Arc, the stainless maid 
of France, or to Queen Elizabeth, most masterful of mon- 
archs; to ‘“‘George Eliot,” peer of any man that has written 
an English novel? Is it to Julia Ward Howe, who has given 
us the finest battle song ever written, or to Frances Willard, 
whose fire-filled personality has done more than any man has 
ever done to undermine the power of the liquor trafic? You 
may look at some of these, or to some other woman distin- 
guished for her public services. For my part, I look to one 
closer than any of these. : 

But who is the most famous of all women to-day? What 
woman has appeared most largely in art? What woman, 
rightly or wrongly, has been the greatest influence in re- 
_ ligion? There can be no doubt that it is she who in the 
spirit of prophecy exclaimed, “All generations shall call me 
blessed!’ And all generations have called Mary blessed, and 
all generations to come will call Mary blessed, because in the 
fullness of time it was she who gave birth to the child Jesus, 
and because in the humble house at Nazareth, as a faithful 
mother under God’s guidance, she shaped the disposition and 
character of the Saviour of the world. 

. II. Second, let us honor our mothers, for to them we owe 

the most important part of our education. From the stand- 
point of education the first six to nine years are the most im- 
portant in the life of a child. ‘Then obedience is likely to be 
learned, if it is ever learned; then a habit of prayer is formed, 
if it is ever formed; then gentleness of speech and considera- 
tion for the rights and feelings of other people are learned, 
if they are ever learned. Then the disposition is formed, and - 
the foundations of character are laid. Then the bent of the 
life is received. 

What climax in all literature is so satisfactory and delight- 
ful as when, at the bidding of Pharaoh’s daughter, the swift- 


— 
_— 


168 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


footed Miriam ran to procure a nurse for little Moses, who 
had been found among the bulrushes and brought back—and 
brought back to his mother ! | 

III. Third, let us honor our mothers, for to them we owe 
our homes. It is the mother most of all that makes the home. — 
A great service this to the human race. There is no sound — 
in the English language that strikes upon the heart strings — 
like the word ‘home.’ In the home the worry of life is for- 
gotten. ‘There the waste of life is repaired; there the hurts 
of life are healed; there the pleasures of human companion- 
ship and sympathy are enjoyed in their purest form; there ~ 
each one has a place which no other can fill or take away. 
And it is the mother who creates and dominates the home. 

IV. Fourth, let us honor our mothers most of all for 
the love which they have given us. Love is what humanity 
needs more than anything else. ‘here is no need to prove that. 
There is nothing that so sustains and restrains, encourages 
and strengthens us as the consciousness of being loved. Surely 
the passage concerning love in the thirteenth chapter of 1 Cor- 
inthians is the picture of a Christian mother’s love: ‘Love 
suffereth long and is kind, doth not behave itself unseemly, | 
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. 
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, en- 
dureth all things. Love never faileth.” 

And this mother love is like God’s love. He loves us not 
because we are lovable, but because it is his nature to love, 
and because we are his children. Study the love of God as 
it is portrayed in a hundred ways in Scripture, and I think you 
will confess that there is no human love so much like God’s 
love as is the love of a mother for her children. 

‘So God created man in his own image; in the image of 
God created he him; male and female created he them.” 
God’s fatherhood then is richer in its nature than any human 
fatherhood. In it are the attributes of both fatherhood and 
motherhood. Deeper even than a mother’s love is the love 
of God for his children. There is no passage in the Bible 


, more surprising and satisfactory than a part of the forty-ninth 


chapter of Isaiah: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, 
that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? 
Yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I 





MOTHER’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 169 


_ have graven thee upon the palms of my hands!’’ How, then, 
- shall we render honor to our mothers for all their benefits to 
us, especially for this love, which is second only to divine love? 
_ There are two ways of honoring our mothers, and of these 
the second way is the better, but the first ought not to be 
neglected: First, we can express our affection for them in 
some definite and unmistakable way. They will go right on 
serving and loving us, whether we express our appreciation or 
not, but for that very reason let us make them sure their love 
is returned. Second, we can highly resolve that with God’s 
help we will be the men and women that our mothers want us 
to be. Then they will be satisfied, for their happiness has 
always been centered, not in themselves, but in their chil- 
dren.—ReEv. Epwarp J. Russe, D.D. 


THE ENCIRCLING LOVE AND LOYALTY OF 
MOTHER 


‘And the man called his wife’s name Eve; because she was 
the mother of all living.” Gen. 3: 20. 

Barrie once described a lady by saying, ‘She had a mother’s 
face.” 

I. It is a magic name—Mother. No word in Anglo-Saxon 
has such power of suggestion; none is so packed with divine 
emotion. It is not strange that the name is associated with 
the Bible. 

II. Your own mother may have been a humble working- 
woman in a cottage; while now you may be a learned man, 
dwelling ina palace. It matters not—her power and influence 
remain. Why did Lincoln say, ‘“‘All that I am and all that I 
hope to be, I owe to my angel mother’? Why do we re- 
member the songs she sang? Why are her words still ring- 
ing in our ears, as clearly as if they had been spoken but yes- 
terday? Why do we compare all womankind to that early 
model? 


‘“There’s a simple rural cottage that looks out 
across the sea; 

There’s a rose-bush by the doorway, and a 
crooked apple tree; 


Pal 


170 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


By the rose-bush, little Mater (so we called 
her) always sat; 
' She called the spot her heaven, so I like to 
think of that.” 


III. It is because she possessed the eternal qualities of the © 
lasting universe—love and goodness. She embodied elements 
that never die. When others scorned and abandoned us, she 
remained loyal. She covered our mistakes with a golden 
cloud of sympathy. She hid our failings in the folds of her 
long-suffering garments. She taught us that to be truly great 
is to be simply kind. 

IV. He who has known such unfailing affection finds it~ 
easier to understand what Jesus meant when he said, “‘Greater © 
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for © 


his friends.’—C. S.C. 





THE MOTHER LOVE 


‘Can a woman forget her child? . . . Yet will I not forget 
thee. isaiagirs. 

The best of human beings fail to be true at times, but 
mother love is more constant than any other human, earthly 
affection. ‘There is never a prison where she would not knock © 
for the liberation of her child; her love does not change be- 
cause of misfortune or unfaithfulness. 

A degenerate mother in the toils of Satan’s power might 
forget, but there is One who remembers always to love the 
objects of his affection. He will never leave and never forget. 
‘‘As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” 
A mother would give her drunken son the last crust of bread 
in the house. If expostulated with, she would say, ‘How can 
I help it? JI am his mother. I would give him all and then 
die for him, for I was willing to give my life for him at his 
birth.” ‘Though all other friends forsake her child, though 
the law may seize him and the gallows slay him, her pitying 
affection will never give him up, and on his grave she will 
refuse to be comforted, because he is not. 


MOTHER’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 171 


“Tf I were drowned in the deepest sea, 
Mother o’ mine, mother o’ mine; 
I know whose prayers would come down to me, 
Mother o’ mine, mother o’ mine.”’ 
—Rev. E. W. CASWELL. 


OUR MOTHERS—AN APPRECIATION 


‘When Jesus, therefore saw his mother,” etc. John 
ro: 20/27: 

This is one of the “‘side lights” on the life of the Son of 
man which prompts every man to a deeper appreciation of his 
own mother. It is well that America shoulli set apart a day 
for a fuller appreciation—not of the abstract principle, 
‘‘motherhood”—but of the concrete reality “mother.” 

I. Appreciate the Confidence in Us. Mary “pondered,” 
and every other mother does likewise. ‘This confidence en- 
courages, when youthful inexperience fails. Benjamin West 
said, ““My mother’s kiss of approval made me a painter.” It 
stimulates patience, enabling mothers to trust when others 
‘desert; e.g., Mary at cross. It leads to sacrifice. How many 
influential men owe their education and power to the self- 
denial of their mothers! 

II. Appreciate the Fact that Mother’s Touch is Toward 
the Higher Life. Fathers may teach the handling of the plow 
or the counting of money; but gentler hands and words have 
added the nobler touch which have made the Ruskins, Lin- 
colns, and Gladstones. ‘This is the touch that turns a life 
Godward. 

Ill. Recognize a Stepping Stone Toward Heaven. Not 
that this love should obscure the heavenly love (as a great and 
ancient church has caused it to do), but that this enduring, 
uplifting influence should lead us to know the love that “‘pass- 
eth knowledge”; and which “cometh down from above.” 


PART XXV: MEMORIAL DAY TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


The End of War: Psa. 46:9. 

Promises Of Peaces eSaeO sit boyy 

The Devastation of War: Joel 1: 13-20. 

A New Memorial Day: ‘“What mean ye by this service?” ~ 
EXWE 90, ) 

A Nation’s Tribute to Its Heroic Dead: “This day shall 
be unto you for a memorial.” Ex. 12:14. 

America the Wonderland: ‘“Thou shalt bless the Lord, thy 
God, for the good land which he hath given thee.’ Deut. 
8: 10. 

The International Court: ‘He shall judge among the na- 
tions,’ [say\2's\a. 

The Unification of the Nation: “One law shall be to him 
that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth 
among you.” Ex. 12:49. 

The Wounds of the War and the Red Cross: “He healeth 
the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ Psa. 
1 ee 

The Patriotism of Jesus: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... 
how often would I . . . and ye would not!” Matt. 23: 37. 

A Memorial of Liberty: ‘What mean ye by these stones?” 
Poshs aan. 

The Christian a Soldier: 2 Tim. 2: 3, 14. 

The Great Service: ‘““Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, 
caused his army to serve a great service,’ etc. Ezek. 
29: 18-20. 

Brave Leaders and Brave Men: “Amasiah, the son of 
Aichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord, and with 
him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.’’ 2 Chron. 
172 16, 

The Transfiguration of Trouble: “l was in the isle that is 
called Patmos. . . . I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day.” 


Rev. T0310. 
172 


MEMORIAL DAY TEXTS AND THEMES 173 


_ Our Sure Foundation: “We have our hope set on the living 
mood.” Y Lim.4: 10. 

Reveille: “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the 
dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Eph. 5: 14. 

Spicery for Our Dead: “And, behold, a company of Ish- 
maelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery 
and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.” Gen. 
27:25. | 
Death for Others: “For none of us liveth to himself, and 
no man dieth to himself.” Rom. 14: 7. 

Life Given: “These all died in faith, not having re- 
ceived the promises, but having seen them afar off.” Heb. 
ih se 

The History of Liberty: ‘Their line is gone out through 
all the earth,” etc. Psa. 19: 4. 

A People for God’s Possessing: “But ye are a chosen gen- 
eration, a royal priesthood,” etc. 1 Pet. 2:9. 

God’s Gift to America: ‘“Then thou spakest in vision to thy 
holy one,” etc. Psa. 89: 19. 

Loss in Life’s Battles: ‘‘Pride goeth before destruction,” 
etc. Prov. 16: 18. 

The Men Who Win: “Know ye not that which run in a 
race run all, but one receiveth the prize?” 1 Cor. 9: 24. 

Heroes Are Immortal: ‘‘As dying, and behold we live.” 
BOOT, Gis, 

Decoration Day and Tis Lessons: ‘“‘And he said unto me, 
Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezek. 37: 3. 

War Not Glorious: ““Who smote great nations, and slew 
mighty kings.” Psa. 135: Io. 

National Dangers: “Thou shalt no more be termed for- 
saken; neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate,” 
etc. » Isa. 62:4: 

Flowers for Memorial Day: “What shall I render unto the 
Lord for all his benefits?” Psa. 116: 12. Praise is comely. 
Flowers of gratitude are sweet-smelling savor. A banquet 
of patriotic graces; freedom, religious liberty, self-sacrificing 
love and brotherly kindness. 

The Day of Memory: ‘What mean ye by this service?” 
kent 22 20. 

The Veteran as an Oracle: 2 Sam. 16: 23. 


174 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


A Memorial of Liberty: “What mean ye by this service?” 
PiXuar zip 12 0% 

The Christian a Soldier: 2 ‘Tim. 2:3, 14. 

The Christian Warfare: “ have fought a good fight.” 2 
him. 4.39; | 

A Sermon of the Sword: “The sword of the Spirit which 
is the word of God.” Eph. 6: 17. 

The Great Service: ‘Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, 
caused his army to serve a great service,’ etc. Ezek. 
29: 18-20. 


PART XXVI: MEMORIAL DAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


THE MEMORIAL OF LIBERTY 


‘‘What mean these stones?” Josh. 4:21 

Israel marked the great events of her history with monu- 
ments. This heap of stones at Gilgal was to memorize to 
their children the end of the wilderness journeying and the 
Jordan passage into the Promised Land. It is the patriotic 
duty of Americans to teach their children the meaning of 
their Memorial Day. 

I. It means that in a supreme crisis the American stood 
the test. The world then learned what kind of character 
belongs to Americans. (1) They stood for principles. (2) 
They exhibited unparalleled courage. (3) They showed the 
strength of their love for liberty. 

II. It means that democracy and brotherhood rest upon 
tremendous sacrifices. 

III. It means that for the birth and vast extension of 
democracy you cleared the way. Preserving the American in- 
stitutions and liberty, you made possible an America which 
might lead mankind up the path to brotherhood, equality, 
true freedom. 

IV. It means to this generation that we must conserve 
the fruits of your victory by new victories. We possess the 
land. A right appreciation of ‘“‘these stones’ as your me- 
morial will only be realized by going on in the path you 
pointed out. So your work and ours shall bring nearer the 


kingdom of God. 


GESTURES OF PROGRESS, PERSONAL AND 
NATIONAL 


Lol s 6 Boe Ren Se Pa 2 
In coming time and in perspective of history, landmarks of 
American life will be: the war of Independence, the war for 
the Union, and the war for Democracy. 
175 


176 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


I. A Leaving Behind. War of Independence. 

II. A Reaching Forth. Civil War. 

III. A Pressing Forward. Present World War. 

The.same gestures must be made personally.—ReEv. S. B. 
Dunn, D.D. ; 


FORGET-ME-NOTS GATHERED FROM GOD’S 
ACRE 


Battlefield of Waterloo in springtime is carpeted with for- 
get-me-nots. 

I. The Faith They Died In. 

II. The Promise They Saw. 

III. ‘The Perfection They Shared. 

Cherished memory of our soldier dead.—Rev. S. B. 
Dunn, D.D. 


FLOWERS FOR MEMORIAL DAY 


“What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits?” 
Psaitl os ie. 

Praise is comely. Flowers of gratitude are a sweet-smelling 
savor. | | 

Tradition has it that after the last battle fought in behalf 
of the Stuarts there sprang up to mark the spot on Culloden 
Moor a singular little blue flower, unknown in that region 
before. ‘The natives called it the “flower of Culloden,’’ be- 
cause it sprang from the soil made sacred and rich with the 
blood of their kin. Seeds sleeping for ages sprung into life 
and beauty when they received their baptism of blood. 

Culloden flowers are always the choicest because of the 
cost of production. They of all others grow from soil ferti- 
lized with sacrifices and dyed with blood. What are they? 
How do they look? 

1. Freedom. 

2. The Mayflower: Religious liberty. 

3. The Lily of the Valley: Pure and white springing from 
the blood-stained ground at the foot of the Cross. 

4. A Bouquet of Patriotic Graces: Self-sacrificing love and 
brotherly kindness.—C. A. T. 


MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 177 


THE ORIFLAMME OF GOD 


Text: “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, 
that it might be displayed because of the truth.” Psa. 60: 4. 

We have great reason to praise God to-day. He has led 
us safely through the horrors of war, and has blessed and 
guided us until crushed and trampled nations seek our protec- 
tion. In their shell-torn and weakened condition, they want 
the oriflamme of our nation to wave over them, for it is the 
oriflamme of this nation that means liberty, freedom, and 
security. There is, however, a great oriflamme of which we 
speak, to-day; the oriflamme of our Lord Jesus Christ. All 
writers insist that although there is some reference to the 
kingdom of David in this text, that the banner here men- 
tioned refers to the Messiah, and that it is the banner of his 
presence, of his love, and of his person, that will guide those 
who fear him. We are sure that this is the case, for in him 
we find the clew to all history and the solution of all prophecy; 
and whether we are to interpret life or history, he is the 
banner and ensign that is lifted up before the army of the 
church. 

I. The banner or flag in war is always used to rally and 
to encourage the soldiers. It was with some meaning, when 
on that historical morning the soldiers of the young Republic 
thought their forces may have been defeated, that they 
strained their eyes to catch a glimpse of Old Glory waving in 
the fog of battle smoke, and expressed their feelings in the 
words: 





“Oh, say, can you see, | 
By the dawn’s early light, 
What so proudly we hailed | 
At the twilight’s last gleaming.” 


So Christ is our banner whom we must follow, who must 
inspire and encourage us, or we will be lost in defeat amid 
the battle of life. Look to Christ. Is he at the mast-head 
of our life, or in these times of stress has he become a mere 
figure-head? 

II. The banner is always displayed as the center of ac- 


178 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


tivity, and that must be the reason Christ was given. Chris- 
tianity is not a soothing syrup, nor the church a spiritual rest- 
room. The Christian life is an impelling force, and the church 
supposed to be the power-house and workshop of Jesus Christ. 
In ancient warfare, when the leader wanted to rally his sol- 
diers, the army banner was lifted, and the division ensigns 
were left behind as all soldiers gathered around the one 
orilamme. In the war and walk of life this is ever needful, 
and whether the division under which we fight and live is 
business, society, or home life, if we heed only the one division 
standard, and fight not for the great Oriflamme, Jesus Christ, 
we shall go down in defeat as the soldier who fights only for 
the division standard, and forgets the oriflamme of the 
nation. 

III. Again, in time of war, the oriflamme of the nation is 
a great guide-star. If the standard-bearer fell, great effort 
was made to hoist the flag again before it met the ground. 
So it seems in these times, when men seem to have forgotten 
God, great effort should be made to display the Christ on the 
battle-field of life and activity, that the divisions of business, 
society, home, may not be defeated, but march on hand in 
hand with God and to victory, with higher hopes and brighter 
blessings. 

IV. This oriflamme of God was to be displayed because of 
the truth, and the one to-day who fails to see the reality of 
the Christian life is blind, for, because of his reality and truth, 
his life is the only solution to the manifold problems before us 
to-day.— Rev. J. Carvin Leonarp, D.D. 


SPICERY FOR OUR DEAD 


“And, behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead 
with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going 
to carry it down to Egypt.” Gen. 37:25. 

On this Memorial Day a great company bring sweetest 
things for our precious dead. 

I. By their devotion they supply us with “‘spicery and balm 
and myrrh,” such as few nations can boast. 

II. Our American soil is the Gilead where such things 
have always grown, and abound to-day. 


MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 179 


III. The aromatic gifts we bring to-day are our gratitude 
and our love for the brave men who died for the flag we fly 
and plant in their memory. Every cemetery we visit is our 
“Egypt.” 

IV. Our nation’s chief article of commerce, the main source 
of our real wealth, are those moral qualities that our veteran 


dead exemplify.—Rev. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


WAR DEPRECATED 


“Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the 
bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit him- 
self with pieces of silver; scatter thou the people that delight 
in war.’ Psa. 68: 30. 7 

The war-spirit is to be prayed down. The Christianity of 
the nation is at war with war. 

I. “The company of spearmen,” by their arms, may pro- 
voke the war-spirit, and so call forth rebuke. 

II. War is essentially brutal, smacking of “bulls” and 
“calves.” 

III. Better buy off the enemy, when possible, ‘‘with pieces 
of silver,’ as England did in the ‘‘Alabama”’ case, than resort 
to the arbitrament of the sword. 

IV. ‘The people that delight in war” are best ‘‘scattered”’ 

by being kept out of office. 

Our Civil War is most piously commemorated by recall- 
ing its horrors and cherishing ideals of peace.—ReEv. S. B. 
Dunn, D.D. | 


THE REIGN OF THE DOVE 


“And the dove came in to him in the evening; and lo, in 
her mouth was an olive-leaf plucked off; so Noah knew that 
the waters were abating from off the earth.” Gen. 8:11. 

The dynasty of the war eagle shall yet usher in the reign 
of the peace dove, whose scepter is the olive branch. 

“Let us have peace!” is the lesson of Decoration Day. 

I. The reign of the dove is foretold. Micah 4: 3, 4. 

II. The reign of the dove is furthered by the tender of the 
olive leaf. The dove-mouth! ‘The leaf carried! 


180 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


III. The reign of the dove will know no deluge. No 
deluge of blood. No deluge of devastation. But a sky with 
a rainbow, and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. 

The dove reigns in “God’s acre’; let it reign above ground. 

That day shall be radiant as our flag and redolent as our 
flowers. 


BRINGING BACK THE KING 


“And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. 
Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king 
back?” 2,Sam."19: 20. 

The Absalom rebellion had collapsed and national unity was 
marked by bringing back the king. 

I. The royal path to peace was paved with the dead. 
“Dead in battle.” How many an Absalom fell in that awful 
Civil War of ours! 

II. A new spirit it was, that proposed the bringing back 
of the king. ‘‘Whom we anointed over us.” The royal North 
is met by a loyal South. . 

III. The spectacle seen now is that of a united nation. 
‘The speech of all Israel,” v. 11. ‘“The heart of one man,”’ 
Wu i4. 

IV. The pledge of national warfare lay implicit in this act 
of bringing back the king. Capping “‘the powers that be” is 
the King of kings whose reign and rule must be acknowledged 
by our Republic—Rev. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


THE VETERAN AS AN ORACLE 


“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counseled in 
those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of 
God.”’ 2 Sam. 163.23. 

The veteran, as much so as was Ahithophel, is an oracle 
whose voice to-day has many things to teach and counsel. 

I. From memories of war he counsels peace. This day 
breathes love and concord. 

II. By his own example of devotion he counsels patriotism. 
This day fires the breast with love of country and the desire 
to live for it. 


MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 181 


- III. In the victory God gave his arms he counsels faith 

-in Providence. The God of our fathers is with us yet. 

_ JV. With other enemies to be met he counsels the martial 

spirit. The war is still on, and the (Christian veteran is 
needed above ground.—ReEv. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


OUR MEMORIAL DAY 


“And the Jews ordained and took upon them, and upon 
Boer Seca etc. ugther 9724.25. 

In these words we have an account of the founding of the 
Jewish National Memorial Day. It was not so much a re- 
ligious as a national memorial day. It celebrated a day of 
victory and triumph; and they made it memorable by annual 
observance. Purim means “lot.” It was a day when God 
decided the lot in favor of the Jewish nation.. We are told 
what great care was taken that their national deliverance might 
be kept in remembrance. The people took upon themselves 
a national memorial day. It was not definitely commanded— 
they took it upon themselves—but it was a day when they 

recognized the hand of God in their deliverance; and it has 
been faithfully kept throughout all their generations from 
that day until this. 

But let us not forget that we have a double reason for 
keeping our Memorial Day. ‘The Jews had a bloodless vic- 
tory; but ours was purchased at the price of precious lives, 
even those of our own brothers and sons and husbands and 
- fathers. 

I. First, then, let us think of it as a Memory Day. There 
are those who think it unkind to recall the memory of the 
dead or even to speak to the bereaved of their losses. ‘There 
- are some who think that the only way to console is by divert- 
ing the thoughts from all memory of that which occasioned 
pain. There is no more mistaken treatment for the human 
heart than to prescribe oblivion for its cure. The very mem- 
ory of the loved ones blesses us and makes us more gentle 
and tender toward the living. Every memorial observance 
shows nobility and tenderness and genuineness of heart. It is 
neither manly nor womanly, nor human, to be either hard- 
hearted or forgetful. Then, can you doubt that the heart of 


182 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


our nation is softened, and that sympathy, sensibility and true 
greatness are promoted by our observance of a national 
Memorial Day? ae 

II. In recalling the past we find, secondly, that our: 
Memorial Day is a day with very important lessons. 

1. It teaches Christian patriotism. Love of country is 
not only a natural sentiment in every true heart, but 
it is right in the sight of God. No man can ignore 
his relation to his country and not sin against God. 

2. Again, our Memorial Day teaches the value of peace. 
It shows war at best a necessary evil, to be justified - 
only by a righteous cause. It shows the cost of war. . 
What it cost us in dollars and cents may some day be 
wiped out and forgotten; but that it cost us hundreds 
of thousands of precious lives will never be forgotten 
while Memorial Day continues to be observed. Ata 
great price we obtained this freedom. It was the 
price of blood—the blood of a nation’s heroes whose 
memory we so gladly honor. Our nation will not 
soon forget the value of peace purchased at such a 
cost. Memorial Day is a constant reminder of the 
terrible price paid. 

3. The day also brings lessons of gratitude and hope. 
Memory is the mother ‘of gratitude. So when we 
recall our national blessings, how much cause we have 
for gratitude to God! We can truly say: ‘““The Lord 
hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad!” 
“The Lord of -Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob— 


is our refuge.’ —H. 


THE DAY OF MEMORY 


‘What mean you by this service?” Ex. 12: 26. 

The thirtieth day of May has long been set apart as 
Memorial Day, a day when every loyal citizen of these United 
States commemorates the deeds of valor, self-sacrifice, and 
heroism, and love of those brave men who have given their 
lives for their country; a day when a tribute is paid to their 
memory in song and stirring address; a day when, to the sober | 
strain of the funeral march, the comrades of those who have 





MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 183 


gone before, journey to the cities of the dead to pay them the 
_ respect they merit; a day when our youth gather the choicest 
blossoms to adorn the graves of the nation’s heroes, and on 
many a tide-swept strand scatter wreaths and garlands on the 
waves as a tribute to those who found a last resting place 
under the waters of the great ocean. 

I. It is fitting that Memorial Day should be thus kept, 
and that honor and respect should be shown to our silent 
heroes who fought valiantly for the right, and who sought 
to establish justice and equity. 

Under a banner which represents these purposes, a mighty 
army marched forth. ‘Their tread was strong and manly. 
Full many had but fairly begun the journey of life, and march- 
ing onward, some found nameless graves, while others, halt- 
ing by the wayside, dropped wearily from the ranks. These 
ranks have been growing weaker and shorter ever since and 
the buoyancy of the step is gone, but the same spirit burns 
in their hearts to-day, and dominates their purposes, and to 
~ no other class of American citizens is the thirtieth of May so 
dear as to the veterans of the war of 1861. 

II. All honor to the living who shared in the glories of 
that period of strife! 

Speaking of that great mass of soldiers who gave their lives 
that the nation might live, and who fell at Gettysburg, Abra- 
ham Lincoln pleaded: ‘That from these honored dead we take 
increased devotion; that we here highly resolve that these 
dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall, under 
_ God, have a new birth of freedom, and that government of 
the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish 
from the earth.” 

How bright were those honors to await those dead! Their 
memory is precious. .Their hands shall plant the rose and 
myrtle on the graves where they lie, and when time and the 
elements destroy them, the love which prompted the gift shall 
endure, still paying sincere tribute to them, and others shall 
rise to guard sacredly their last earthly resting places. That 
grand army is dead but in name; that patriotic host still in- 
fluences our thought, thrills our souls, and stirs anew our 
noblest impulses; just as the setting sun leaves a glow of light 
to guide the weary toiler home, so the light of their brave 


184 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


lives and deeds may guide us to deep and loving remembrance, 


and devotion to the cause of right and justice. 
It is said that ‘‘the grave buries the dead dust, but the 
character makes the world.” Worldly rank, wealth, honors, 


are all perishable and faulty; but zeal for the right, loyalty 


to God and fellow-man have immortality which no sword 


point can pierce, nor cannon ball shatter. ‘Thus living we 


act, dead we speak,” and that in no uncertain manner. 


III. Tall monuments, artificially chiseled with rarest skill, 
cannot honor our dead soldiers as much as the loyal, patriotic 
impulse planted in the hearts of our boys and girls to-day by 
the record of their deeds, impulses which, if properly nour-— 


ished, shall engender loyalty, patriotism, and love for the fag” 
iiich makes free,— 


“That flag of the heroes who left us their glory, 
Borne through their battlefield’s thunder and flame, 
Blazoned in song and illumined in story, 

Wave o’er us all who inherit their fame.” 


IV. The strife is over; the battles all ended. The scroll | 
of the century that was taaeked by the strife is rolled together. | 


We join in giving 


“Tove and tears for the Blue, | 
Tears and love for the Gray.” 


” 


The history so glad and so glorious which chronicles the” 


stern struggle in which right and liberty were won by such an 
awful baptism of fire and blood, is written in the grave of 


every veteran. ‘Their work is done. In the words of Rid- | 
path, the historian, “Peace to the memories of the fathers! 
Green be the graves where sleep the warriors, patriots, sages! 
Calm be the resting place of all the brave and true! Gentle 
be the summer rains where armies have met in battle! For- 


gotten be the animosities and heart burnings of the strife! 


“Sacred be the trust committed to our care, and bright the - 


visions of the coming ages!’’—Rev. H. H. Hurcuins. 


hati fs ~ 





MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 185 


THE INCOMPARABLE DAY 


‘‘And there was no day like that before it, or after it, that 
the Lord hearkened to the voice of a man, for the Lord fought 
for Israel.?.;Josh. 10:14. 

I. It was a great thing for our nation that we had that 
incomparable experience of trial and victory in the Civil War; 
so great that the Spanish War, with its resulting expansion, 
seems but a little thing. 

Il. The main element of that greatness was that we got 
down so low that we had to cry mightily to God, and he gave 
us the grand uplift of his hearing and help. 

III. God’s mighty help is always ready, and each of us 
may have an incomparable and heroic day when the sun and 
moon shall stand still for us because God hearkens to the 
voice of man.—F. N. 


NEW ISSUES CALL FOR NEW COURAGE 


“The Egyptians whom we have seen to-day, ye shall see 
them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you.” 
Exod. 14: 13, 14. 

I. The issues of our Civil War are past and can not be 
recalled, nor can foolish reactionaries reverse their decision. 
Slavery is dead, and there will be no more rebellion nor 
“State’s rights.” 

II. New issues will be raised as Israel found new foes 
along the way to Canaan. ‘They needed Moses’ uplifted 
hands, and Aaron and Hur to help. ‘There are new appeals 
to new courage. — | 

III. All issues, old or new, require God’s help; and we 
need faith as well as courage to secure the same providential 
care that helped the earlier heroes.—F. N. 


LESSONS OF MEMORIAL DAY 


I. Two Grand Armies—one below—worn, still in service, 
diminishing; the other above—swelling in size, life’s warfare 


accomplished. 
II. Two Grand Reviews. One in Washington at the close 


186 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


of the Civil War. One in heaven, wherein all the glorious 
tatters and rags, marks of our trials and struggles here on 
earth, will be acclaimed by an angelic throng.— AUTHOR 
UNKNOWN. 


SHARING THE HERO SPIRIT 


“For I know that ye knew what great conflict I have for 
You) iCOLu22 Fi 

The heroic Christian apostle shows a high form of that 
“struggle for others” which Drummond declares a large part 
of human activity. Of this our soldiers show another form. 
The soldier possibly thinks little about winning other men to 
his own heroic spirit, yet he does so win them, and it is a 
victory greater than any over the enemy, and a more valuable 
service. Memorial Day is a strong help toward this higher 
result of brave effort. 

1. Memorial Day helps us to understand the heroism of 
our noblest men. 

2. To know their spirit will be to come under the influence 
of high and generous impulses. 

3. To know their spirit will make us better appreciate 
our country in its nobler aspect. 

4. The difference between them and us is in the absolute 
sacrifice which they actually made for patriotism. 

5. Patriotism as it dared death was a holy thing. It sanc- 
tified the veterans, and to think of it helps to sanctify us. 

6. Seeing and feeling the power of this profound emotion, 
as they show it, is one of the strongest influences to ennoble 
our lives. 

7. Thus our heroes uplift us to a higher plane of living 
and acting. 


THE SUPREME GIFT OF PATRIOTISM 


“Who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2: 20. 

When we gather at an ordinary funeral we may have re- 
spect and even love for him who is taken away; but here to-day 
we come with another thought. 

I. These men gave themselves. They did not keep from 


MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 187 


danger, nor call in the physician to fight off death with every 
remedy conceivable. ‘They were :pressing forward with a 
purpose so strong that death did not stay them. ‘Neither 
count I my life dear unto myself, ”” said Paul, ‘so that I might 
finish my course with joy.’ 

II]. They were ‘volunteers’; to what? To death. What 
more can a man do for a cause than die for it? ‘This is the 
supreme proof of earnestness and devotion. 

III. They gave themselves for us in these two senses. 

1. Their sacrifice results for our good. 

2. They meant to serve us. They deliberately chose the 
good of the land, of their children, of all the people, 
in preference to their own good. 

IV. In all this they followed in the footsteps of Christ, 
and I may therefore use about them a text written about 
Christ. ‘They help us to understand what Christ did. So 
they may save us in the highest sense. 


THE INSPIRATION OF HEROIC MEMORIES 


‘But call to remembrance the former days.”’ Heb. 10: 32. 

The wise-hearted, broad-minded men have not been the 
merry men; for the higher the enlightenment the more we see 
to grieve over, even if we plan and hope for better things; 
and the wisest man earth ever saw was “a man of sorrows.” 
After great sorrows are past, it is wise to learn their lessons, 
and this might be our work to-day. 

I. We call to remembrance the dying pain of the brave 
men who saved the country from disruption and disgrace. 

Il. We recall the mothers and wives who gave their hus- 
bands and sons to their country. 

Ill. We recall the general spirit of loyal devotion in all 
our communities, which filled the armies with recruits taking 
the places made vacant in the ranks. 

IV. We recall the tears and praises poured forth as our 
dead were brought home for burial. 

V. We recall the orderly disbanding, and the return of the 
veterans to the quiet work of peace. 


188 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


A NEW MEMORIAL DAY 


“What mean you by this service?” Ex. 12: 26. ) 

Not a new Memorial Day, but a new, an added, meaning 
to the old Memorial Day is coming. Let such an incident 
as that of the sounding of taps for the first American soldiers 
who died in France teach us what is meant. 

The first three American soldiers killed in the trenches in 
France are sleeping in French soil, honored by the American 
army and the people and army of France. ‘Their final inter- 
ment was made there. With a guard of French infantrymen, 
in their picturesque uniforms of red and horizon blue, stand- 
ing on one side, and a detachment of American soldiers on 
the other, the flag-draped caskets were lowered into the grave 
as a bugler blew taps and the batteries at the front fired 
minute guns. As the minute guns boomed, the French officer 
commanding the division in this section paid tribute to the 
fallen Americans. His words, which were punctuated by the 
roar of the guns and the whistle of shells, touched both the 
French and Americans. In conclusion, the French officer said: 

‘In the name of the —th Division, in the name of the 
French army, and in the name of France, I bid farewell to 
Private Enright, Private Gresham, and Private Hay, of the 
American army. 

“Of their own free will they had left a prosperous and 
happy country to come over here. They knew war was con- 
tinuing in Europe, they knew that the forces fighting for honor, 
love of justice and civilization were still checked by the long- 
prepared forces serving the powers of brutal denomination, 
oppression and barbarity. They knew that efforts were still 
necessary. ‘They wished to give up their generous hearts and 
they have not forgotten old historical memories, while others 
forget more recent ones. 

‘They ignored nothing of the circumstances and nothing 
had been concealed from them—neither the length and hard- 
ships of war, nor the violence of battle, nor the dreadfulness 
of new weapons, nor the perfidy of the foe. Nothing stopped 
them. They accepted the hard and strenuous life; they 
crossed the ocean at great peril; they took their places on 
the front by our side, and they have fallen facing the foe in 








MEMORIAL DAY SERMON OUTLINES 189 


a hard and desperate hand-to-hand fight. Honor to them. 
Their families, friends and fellow citizens will be proud when 
they learn of their deaths. 

“Men! These graves, the first to be dug in our national 
soil and only a short distance from the enemy, are as a mark 
of the mighty land we and our allies firmly cling to in the 
common task, confirming the will of the people and the army 
of the United States to fight with us to a finish, ready to 
sacrifice as long as is necessary until final victory for the 
most noble of causes, that of the liberty of nations, the weak 
as well as the mighty. ‘Thus the deaths of these humble sol- 
diers appear to us with extraordinary grandeur. 

“We will, therefore, ask that the mortal remains of these 
young men be left here, left with us forever. We inscribe on 
the tombs, ‘Here lie the first soldiers of the Republic of the 
United States to fall on the soil of France for liberty and 
justice.’ The passer-by will stop and uncover his head. Trav- 
elers and men of heart will go out of their way to come here 
to pay their tributes. 

“Private Enright! Private Gresham! Private Hay! In 
the name of France, I thank you. God receive your souls. 
Farewell.” 


PART XXVIT: CHILDREN’S DAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


Lessons from the Birds: “Surely in vain the net is spread 
in the sight of any bird.” Prov. 1: 17. 

The Sky Telegram: “Ask and it shall be given to you.” 
Matt. 727; 

Flowers and Their Uses: “Consider the lilies, how they 
grow. Matt. 6:28. 

The Benediction of Kindness: ‘Be ye kind one to another, 
tender hearted,” etc. Eph. 4: 32. 

Tapping the Wheels: ‘Take heed unto thyself.” 1 Tim. 
AeiLO: 

Castles in the Air: t Cor. 3:12. Building character-castles 
strongly and well. Not with mud-brick foundations, as some 
pyramids had in Egypt. Golden bricks, honor, bravery, truth- 
fulness, thoughtfulness, kindness—all the good thoughts, good 
words, good deeds of life are pure gold. And these are the 
only bricks worth using to make your life-castle with. 

Honor Bright: “By patient continuance in well doing seek 
for ... honor.” Rom. 2:7. An honorable boy or girl not 
made by chance, not by luck, not by fortune, but by always 
doing well. Patient continuance in well doing. Boys wishing 
to impress with their promises say: “I will, honor bright.” 
Keep your honor bright by constant use. Practice goodness 
and truth every day. 

Growing: ‘And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,” 
etc. Luke 2:40. “The child grew.” And he was neither 
round-shouldered nor hump-backed. He kept his head back 
and his chest out, as all boys and girls ought to do. He kept 
sweet. I think that is one reason why he ‘‘waxed strong.” He 
grew all round. Body, mind, and spirit well attended to. 
Health. Take care of your body. Wisdom. Cultivate your 
mind. Spirit. Keep the soul on top. Make Jesus your model 
in all things. 

190 





CHILDREN’S DAY TEXTS AND THEMES 191 


On Growing Up: Luke 2:52. How often children talk of 
what they will do ‘when they grow up.” What being grown 
up means. How we grow. Begin growing in wisdom now. 
Begin to practice good*ways, kind acts, patient, painstaking 
work now. 

Play-time: Zech. 8:5. God notices boys and girls at play. 
Play fair. Never play when you ought to be working. Keep 
your temper. Never let your games become quarrels. Don’t 
excuse your own slips and laugh at your opponent’s mistakes. 
It ought to be the other way around. Do your best to win, 
but whether winning or losing, ‘‘play the game.” Never forget 
the unseen Watcher at the games. 

Little Foxes: Song of Sol. 2:15. Have you ever seen.a 
little fox? It is so cunning you want to cuddle it. But for all 
its charming looks, it is a fox—will soon be at its mischievous 
work among the vines. ‘The beginnings of sin in childhood are 
much like “‘little foxes.’” Look out. 

What Is Your Name? John 1:42. The text tells us how 
Peter got his name—Petros—rock. Children earning a name. 
Earning regard. Earning love and respect or dislike and sus- 
picion. 

Strayed Sheep: “All we like sheep have gone astray. .. . 
And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. . . . He 
is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.” Isa. 53: 6. 

The Best Book: ‘The law of thy mouth is better unto me 
than thousands of gold and silver.” Psa. 119: 72. 

Cooking the Brain: “Awake, ye drunkards, and weep.” 
Poelining. 

A Magnet: ‘‘And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will 
draw all men unto me.” John 12: 32. 

A Beautiful World: “\t shall blossom abundantly, and re- 
joice even with joy and singing.” Isa. 35:2. : 

Face Strings; or, How to Grow Beautiful: ‘They have 
made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to 
Petuene’) fers 3 

Lighthouses: > Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light 
unto my path.” Psa. 119: 105. 

Railroad Lamps: ‘““Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a 
light unto my path.” Psa. 119: 105. 

Foresight and Hindsight: “‘A prudent man foreseeth the 


192 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are pun- 
ished: |) Erov. 22°93: 

Airy Castles: “Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom 
would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?” 
Esther 6: 6. 

The Giant Killer: ‘“These were born unto the giant of 
Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of 
his servants.” 1 Chron. 20: 8. 

Religion’s Pleasant Ways: “Wer ways are ways of pleasant- 
HESS OMe ney 

A Sermon on Spring: ‘“The time of the singing of the birds 
has come.” Sol. Song 2: 12. 

Storms in Life: ‘A refuge from the storm.” Isa. 25: 4. 

God Is: ‘“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” 
PSAs s tee 

The Thief in the House: ““Whoso is a partner with a thief 
hateth his own soul.”’ Prov. 29: 24. 

Children’s Church: “I write unto you, little children, be- 
cause your sins are forgiven you for his sake.” 1 John 2:12. 

Our Hope: “Fear not; I will help thee.” Isa. 41: 13. 

Little Ships: “‘And then were also with him other little 
ships.’ Mark 4:36. I. Little ships carry precious cargo. 
II. Little ships need guiding. III. Little ships can be useful. 
IV. Little ships must be careful. 'V. Little ships may be 
lost. | 

Lessons from Little Things: I. It was only a little coat. 
1 Sam. 2:19. II. It was only a little cake. 1 Kings 17: 13. 
III. It was only a little cloud. 1 Kings 18:44. IV. It was 
only a little coney. Prov. 30:26. V. It was only a little 
girl. But what good service she rendered! 2 Kings 5:2. 

Ways of Knocking: 1 Thess. 5:17. Asking, seeking, knock- 
ing are three special features of real prayer. I. The timid 
knock. Want of faith. James1:6. II. The runaway knock. 
Want of patience. Psa. 40:1. III. The late knock. Want 
of time. Luke 13:25. IV. There are five proper ways of 
knocking. ‘I. Knock early. While young. Psa. 5:33. 
2. Knock earnestly. With all your heart. James 5:17, 18. 
3. Knock distinctly. Matt. 7:7. 4. Knock repeatedly. Im- 
portunity. 2 Thess. 5:17. 5. Knock expectantly. Psa. 


27:14. 


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CHILDREN’S DAY TEXTS AND THEMES 193 


The Garden of the Lord: Isa. 51:3. Inthe garden of the 
Lord there are: [. Weeds to be removed, sin, selfishness, dis- 
obedience. II. Life to be nourished. III. Flowers to be culti- 
vated. Beauty. IV. Fruits to be Rae. V. Blessings to 
be enjoyed. Reward. 


PART XXVIII: CHILDREN’S DAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


THE EYES OF YOUR HEART 
Ephesians 1: 18. 


How many eyes has a spider? Don’t know? Give it up? — 


Well, it has eight; two at the front of its head, two at each 
side, and two at the top! So the spider can look all around, 
like a man in a lighthouse tower. How many eyes has a fly? 
Oh, two great bunches: hundreds! A bee? ‘Three thousand 
eyes, they say. 

Now, how many have you? Two, you answer? No: 


more. You have eyes inside, as well as those outside: “The — 
eyes of your understanding,” as in the A. V.; “of the heart,” — 
R. V. These eyes within are of utmost value; often seeing © 
what is hidden from the outward eyes. “Eye hath not seen, — 
nor ear,” etc.; ‘“‘but God hath revealed them unto us, by his — 
Spirit,” that is, to the inner senses. Why? Father and — 
Mother see much more in you than other people see! “I — 
wish he saw me with Grandpa’s eyes,” said a little girl, when — 
some one was finding fault with her. Yes, love gives the see- | 
ing eye, and the understanding heart! That is why God wants — 


you to love him. It opens the inner eyes. Then— 


I. God is seen—Everywhere. ‘Father and Friend. Thy — 


Light. Thy Love,” etc. 


IJ. Our Saviour Too—Some ‘“‘saw no beauty.’ Others | 


‘beheld his glory.” 
III. The Bible—How David loved it! And what he saw. 
“Open thou,” etc. 


IV. The Sabbath—‘‘A delight!’ Pearl of Days! Well | 


called Sunday! 
V. House of God—Sanctuary, sacred place. Refuge. 
Children’s Home. 
VI. Openings for Doing Good—At home, school, every- 
where; if sought. 
194 


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CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 195 


Pray the prayer of the blind man of Jericho—‘“Lord, that 
our eyes may be opened!’’—ReEv. J. ELLIs. 


THINGS TO WATCH 


“Watch.” Matt. 26:41. 

I. Watch self. This is very important, and you will have 
all you can well attend to if you keep self in subjection. 

Il. Watch your eyes so that they will look upon the beau- 
tiful and see the wants of the needy. 

III. Watch your nose so that it will keep in the right direc- 
tion, and not go prying around where you have no business 
to go. 

IV. Watch your mouth that nothing unclean enters, or that 
nothing vicious comes out. 

V. Watch your tongue that it speaks no guile nor unkind 
words, but is used to praise and honor God, and to teach the 
Gospel. 

VI. Watch your hands that they steal not, nor be idle, but 
use them industriously. 

VII. Watch your feet that they do not lead you into 
saloons nor into any other evil places, but that they walk 
in the pathway of duty and the highway of holiness. 

VIII. Watch your temper that it may be like-minded with 
Christ. In fact, watch self at all times and in all places, and 
ask God to help you gain the victory so that you may be a 
dutiful child, a true citizen, in the full sense of the word. 


A BRIGHT PIN | 


One evening I held a pin in my hand and said, “Now, Mr. 
Pin, let us hear what you have to tell me about yourself that 
will help me to talk to the children on Sunday.” 

I. The Pin replied, ‘Well, sir! I want you to understand 
that I am straight, that whenever I have work to do I go at 
it right away; and all because I am straight. I am welcomed 
into all kinds of homes and am used for all kinds of purposes. 
Ladies delight to have me as their constant companion. I 
dine with princesses, and kings display me in gorgeous scarfs. 
I am also welcomed in the home of the poor, and save the 


196 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


workers a great amount of labor. Oh! but it is dreadful to © 
think that when I become bent or crooked I am thrown away, 
and trampled upon! Millions of my brothers and sisters are | 
lost every day because they are crooked! So long as I am © 
straignt it is all right.” Boys and girls, listen to that: “So 
long as I am straight I am all right.” What about you? Are 
you straight with father, mother and companions? If you 
are not, depend upon it, you will become useless. . 

II. Secondly, says the Pin, “I am sharp.” A dentist had © 
a troublesome client who wouldn’t open his mouth; so the 
dentist gave a boy a pin and told him when a certain signal © 
was given to push it into the man. He did, and in less time © 
than you can say “‘Jack Robinson” the tooth was out. The 
pin was sharp and went in. Boys and girls need to be sharp. 
The pin says: ‘‘Be straight! Be sharp!” | 

III. Thirdly, says the Pin, ‘I am bright.” You can’t do © 
anything with a rusty pin. Rusty children are not much use. 
They are always in the way. They get up inthe morning and — 
crawl to breakfast, and are too lazy to clean their boots. — 
They are so rusty that if asked to do anything for mother 
they don’t hear. Pins get rusty by being in the wrong place, 
amidst dirt and dust. Isn’t that where boys get rusty? 

IV. The pin said that it had two other things, a head and 
a point. All of us have heads, but some of us never get to a 
point, but are like a few preachers I know, who go round and 
round, and never get anywhere, but a pin that is “straight,” — 
“sharp,” and ‘“‘bright” always has a point and gets there when 
required. 

VY. And then the pin says: ‘‘But there is something I haven’t 
that I wish I had—that is some brains. I can only act on the | 
push of another.”’ No brains indeed? Then you are not much 
after all, and how can I help the children by talking about 
you? ‘Then it said: ‘Tell the children that to be what I am, 
they must use what I have not—brains.”’ So it amounts to © 
this: To be straight, sharp, bright and have a point we must 
use the brains that are in what a pin has as well as ourselves, 
the head.—ReEv. JoHN DusTAN. 








CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 197 


THE BLESSEDNESS OF CHILDLIKENESS 


“When Israel was a child then I loved him.”” Hos. 11:1. 

A feeling of sadness steals over us when comparing the 
man with the former child-character. We say: ‘‘Then I loved 
him.” 

I. Children are remarkable for their trust. What un- 
doubting faith in our words! What unquestioning confidence 
in our judgment! When explanations are asked for of things 
which cannot be understood by children, the answer is enough 
when we say: “You will know when you are older.”’ ‘When’ 
we had this childlikeness, ‘‘then’’ God loved us. 

II. Children are remarkable for their purity. Apart from 
hereditary taint, how sweetly pure! Pure as the heavens 
ere the clouds are born. Pure as the early dew—the untrod- 
den snowflake—the pellucid stream—the unplucked flowers. 
‘‘Then” how lovely! 

III. Children are remarkable for their sincerity. What 
open-heartedness! What frankness of speech! What ab- 
sence of hypocrisy! When like this, “then’ God and man 
love us. 

IV. Children are remarkable for their simplicity. How 
free from vanity, and conceit, and pride, and vainglory! A 
beggar’s hand is clasped cordially, if only clean. The servant 
maid and the high born lady on equal footing. Social dis- 
tinctions are paper walls. When the early church resembled 
' this character—‘‘believers were added daily” to its ranks; for 
“then” it was lovely. 

V. Children are remarkable for their contentment. No 
“‘making haste to be rich’’—the penny as satisfying as a sover- 
eign when small wants are met. No sitting up late and rising 
up early to eat the bread of carefulness. But calm content- 
ment and happy trust in parental provisions. 

VI. Children are remarkable for their gladness. The 
blood is pure—the circulation healthy—the appetite eager— 
the sleep dreamless—freedom from “torment’’—"‘perfect love 
casting out fear.” When our souls are thus replete with 
health and gladness “then” God loves us.—J. P. 


XK 


198 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THE MINISTRY OF CHILDREN 


“And a little child shall lead them.” Isa. 11: 6. a 
“Take this child away and nurse it for me and I will give — 
thee thy wages.” Ex. 2:9. | 
Quite commonly throughout Christian lands Children’s day 
is celebrated on the second Sunday in June. It is a glad day, 
full of the odor of flowers, the singing of birds and the sweet — 
sound Of the voices of innumerable children. It is also a day © 
full of suggestive instruction for young and old alike. It will — 
be well if in our homes at this time we speak of the children, 
confer in regard to their interests, pray for God's blessing ~ 
upon them, and, as older people, open our hearts to the lessons — 
we may learn from them. : 
God has many ministers besides those that bear that dis- | 
tinctive name. The babbling brook, the deep blue sea, the © 
starry firmament, the many-tinted flowers of the field, the © 
birds of the air, all speak to our hearts about the glory and © 
majesty, the power and the love of God. Children, too, are © 
his “ministers,” and it is especially of them we will now think. 
Children teach us many lessons in many ways and influence 
us greatly. | 
I. They purify. There is a sweet fragrance streaming © 
forth from the life of every little child, which makes us older — 
people long to get back to the sweetness, the simplicity, the — 
teachableness, the purity of our days of early youth and child- — 
hood. They preach to us, not so much by their lips as by their — 
innocence. | 
II. They elevate. Children appeal to the highest and best — 
instincts of our nature. They take our thoughts away from 
things sordid or low, and lift us to high thinking and noble © 
acting. q 
Ill. They stir. They arouse our laggard wills and move — 
us to better living. They make us careful of conduct that is 
likely to be reproduced in them, and stimulate our finer quali- 
ties. They inspire us with hope, rouse us to wholesome sacri- 
fice, impel us to industry and set us forward in ways of physi- — 
cal, moral and spiritual well-being. 
IV. They instruct. God speaks to us through them. He 
taught Eli by young Samuel. He used the little boy to in- 





CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 199 


struct the aged priest. And has not God in like manner often 
spoken since Eli’s day to those of riper years through the lips 
of children? He has manifested himself through a child’s 
prayers, through a child’s piety, through a child’s example. 
He has taken infantile lips and filled them with strange and 
startling messages from himself. 

V. They console. No one can overestimate the amount 
of blessing children have brought to hearts and homes in the 
way of taking our minds off our troubles and giving the cheer 
and consolation of a sweet and clinging love. In no direction 
is their ministry more marked than in healing the wounds of 
bereavement and sorrow. 

VI. They reconcile. ‘They not only console our sorrow, 
but they most powerfully reconcile us to life’s hardships. 
How many a mother struggles against hardships and poverty, 
toils day and night for her little ones, and yet “thinks her 
lot divine” because she has them to toil for! How many a 
father, returning home from the labor and cares of the day, 
has had his heart cheered and strengthened by the prattle 
of his little children! Thus they remove our thoughts from 
self. They say so many kind and sympathetic things that we 
are cheated of weary care and are reconciled to our lot in 
life. , 

VII. They gladden. Children are the flowers of life, the 
poetry of life, the sunshine of life. Their presence is always 
gladdening. Their loveliness surprises us into a pure and 
abounding joy. How poor, how dismal, how uninviting the 
world would appear were there no children in it! 

VIII. They soften and make us tender. Their helpless- 
ness appeals to us so that we relax our hardness and become 
tender. No mother’s heart is ever just the same after having 
clasped her own child:to her breast. No father can feel the 
touch of a tiny hand without being softened and made more 
_ gentle. The birth of a dear child binds the hearts of parents 
more closely and tenderly together, and all who come in con- 
tact with the little one are made more kindly and affectionate 
and gentle. 

IX. They lead Godward. ‘‘A little child shall lead them.” 
How innumerable the instances and how remarkable the ways 
in which parents and friends have been brought to God 


200 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


through the influence of little children! Let us open our eyes © 
to see what children may become to us, as well as what we 
ought to be to them; for in a suitable and reverent sense 
children are the salvation of the race; their ministry the most 
powerful ministry for good.—H. 


MANNERS 


The way you do things are your manners. The way you 
look, the way you speak, the way you act, the way you move, 
are your manners. What you do with your hat is a part of 
your manners. I do not mean hanging it up, I mean taking 
it off or keeping it on. Everybody has to have some way to 
do things. There are two kinds of manners, good ones and 
bad ones. Your face looks better when you are having good © 
manners than when you are having bad ones. I have heard 
of six kinds of bad manners, and one more. I will mention © 
them. Pig manners, one; bear manners, two; donkey man- — 
ners, three; post manners, four; cock-a-doodle-doo manners, 
five; cow-in-the-parlor manners, six. 

1. Pig Manners. And if you want to know what they are, 
go and look in the pig pen when their dinner is in their trough. ~ 
Every piggy hurries to get the most and the best. Every © 
piggy looks out for himself, and does not care for the other — 
ones. Children that have pig manners are the kind that want — 
to be helped first at meal times, and want the best things for — 
themselves, and the biggest pieces. hey look out for them- ~ 
selves and do not care about other people getting anything ~ 
good. a 
2. Bear Manners. Children that have bear manners are ~ 
the kind that are gruff and grum, and growly. They have © 
cross looking faces, and sometimes stick their lips out, and © 
snarl, and growl, and are almost always grumbling and growl- — 
ing about something they want to do, or they don’t want to — 
do. ‘They talk in this way: ‘‘Find my hat.” “I want to go © 
out.” “Open the door.” “I want something to eat,” and — 
never think of please or thank you, and they get cross very — 
often, and look cross. ! 

3. Donkey Manners. Children that have donkey manners — 
are the kind that want to do just what they want to do, and 


>... 








CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 201 


nothing else, no matter how much you ask them and coax 
them. If you ask them to move they stay still. If you ask 
them to stay still they move. If you ask them to keep quiet 
they make a noise. If you ask them to make a noise they 
keep quiet. If you ask them to go on an errand, they say, 
“Don’t want to,” or “I ain’t going to,” and the worst kind, 
“T will,’ and “I won’t.” When they are playing they never 
will do what others want to but only what themselves want to. 
Post Manners. Children that have post manners are 
the kind that do not answer when they are spoken to, any 
more than a post would. If a visitor says, ‘“‘How do you do?” 
or “Do you like to play tag?” or, “Do you like pictures or 
butterflies or anything?” they stand still as a post, and do not 
speak; but maybe if you should ask them if they like candy, 
they would speak one word, and I guess it would be yes. 

5. Cock-a-doodle-doo Manners. Children that have cock- 
a-doodle-doo manners are the kind that feel big and act so. 
_ A rooster struts among the hens as if he felt so big he did not. 
know what to do, and sometimes he seems to feel so big that 
he has to get upon a fence and clap his wings and crow, cock- 
_a-doodle-doo. Sometimes there will be a lot of fellows play- 
ing, and a cock-a-doodle-do fellow will come there, and he 
will act as if he knew the right way to do everything better 
than anybody, and he'll give them the rules and he'll strut 
around like a rooster; and in his house he does the same way 
to his mother and the other grown-up ones, and the ones that 
are not grown-up. That kind of a fellow ought to stand up 
on a fence and clap his wings, no, I mean his elbows, and 
crow, cock-a-doodle-doo: “I know better than you.” 

6. Cow-in-the-parlor Manners. Children that have cow- 
_in-the-parlor manners are the kind that are always getting in 
-somebody’s way or pushing themselves in between people, or 
going in front of people, or stepping on somebody’s feet, or 
on the bottoms of ladies’ clothes, or leaning against people, 
or stumbling over things, or bumping against thé furniture, or 
against people, or tipping over their own chairs, or knocking 
down a vase or a work basket, or a tumbler of water. They 
are clumsy as a cow in a parlor, and do not mind what they 
are about any more than a cow in the parlor would mind 
what she was about. 


202 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


7. Besides those kinds of manners there is another kind © 
I have heard of called interrupters. Interrupters are the kind — 
that begin to talk while other people are speaking; no matter — 
if ’tis father or their mother, or company, the interrupters do © 
not wait for anybody to stop talking but break right in and say ~ 
what they want to. 


THE MESSAGE OF THE FLOWERS 


Matt. 6: 28-34; James 1: 9-IT. 

The first passage is taken from the Sermon on the Mount. ~ 
Christ calls attention to their beauty and reminds his hearers © 
of the fact that God had made them beautiful. He drew a | 
striking contrast between Solomon in all his riches and glory © 
and the flowers in all their natural beauty with which God had 
clothed them. ‘This passage is rich with instructions for us, — 
and brings to us a practical lesson that should never be over- — 
looked. We should seek first the kingdom of God, and all © 
other necessary things will be added thereto. ‘‘A man’s life © 
is a greater blessing than his livelihood.” “Knowledge and — 
greatness are the perfection of man, not beauty, much less — 
clothes.”’ i 

The second passage is from the'practical man James. He 
makes a comparison between man and flowers. He shows © 
how frail and destructible is grass and the flowers thereof, © 
and said: ‘‘So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” — 

I. The flowers speak to us of their Creator. It requires 7 
divine power to design and create them. Man cannot make — 
even the seed of a flower, and cause its life to be arrayed in © 
beauty. | 

IJ. The flowers tell us something of God’s character. — 
They reveal to us the conception of beauty, utility, and adapt- 
ability. Just think of the great variety of flowers as to their 
form, color and beauty. Think of the practical purposes to 
which they are adapted. Think of the varying conditions of © 
their lives; for example, the lily of the valley, and the blossoms — 
of the snow-capped mountains. a 

III. They teach us the lessons of God’s providence. This 
is the practical value of the first passage above, and God who 














CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 203 


- gives the flowers life will certainly give them care. And God 
who gives us being will certainly supply our wants. 

IV. They teach us the lesson of frailty. James compares 
man to the valley grass, and he makes it stronger and more 
pointed by taking a rich man. He may be more able to stand 

against some of the adverse conditions of life. 
_ YV. Flowers teach us the dependence and union of life. 
The flowers borrow beauty and fragrance from one another, 
and when combined give their most pleasing effect. Although 
there are many species, there are a fewer number of genera, 
and all of these unite in the common life. 

VI. Flowers are the messengers of love and thoughtful- 
ness. A bouquet of flowers is the type of a cluster of thoughts. 
Its sweetness typifies their kindliness. It is interesting to 
| notice how often Christ uses the flowers in his teaching, and 
' what strong and helpful doctrines he presents by them. It 
will help you to study the botany of the Bible devotionally.— 
Rev. W. M. ANDERSON, D.D. 





SIX MINDS 


I. Mind your tongue! Don’t let it speak hasty, cruel, un- 
kind, or wicked words. Mind! 

II. Mind your eyes! Don’t permit them to look on wicked 
books, pictures, or objects. Mind! 

III. Mind your ears! Don’t suffer them to listen to wicked 
speeches, songs or words. Mind! 

_ IV. Mind your lips! Don’t let tobacco foul them. Don’t 
let strong drink pass them. Don’t let the food of the glutton 
enter between them. Mind! 

V. Mind your feet! Don’t let them walk in the steps of 
the wicked. Mind! ) 

VI. Mind your heart! Don’t let the love of sin dwell in it. 
Don’t give it to Satan, but ask Jesus to make it his throne. 
Mind! 


THE SWANS’ DINNER BELL 


There is a pretty story told about the swans in the moat 
of the palace of the Bishop of Wells, England. The old gate- 





204 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


ee 


house, with its gray, ivygrown walls, still stands, and the — 
swans sail up and down the dark waters of the moat, which 
centuries ago was a defense of the castle. , 

The peculiar thing about these swans is that they ring a 
dinner bell whenever they are hungry, and expect to have it — 
answered at once. A long string hangs out of the gate-house — 
window and, as the story is told, when the swans are hungry, © 
the leader swims gravely up to the bell rope, pulls at it, and © 
then waits quietly for the lodge-keeper’s wife to bring out her 
basket of bread. 

It is said that fifty years ago the daughter of the bishop — 
who lived there then taught the swans this trick with great © 
patience and care. The swans that have come since then have © 
apparently in turn learned the secret of the bell-rope so that 
one who is able to perceive the connection between the pulling - 
of the string and the appearing of the bread-basket has always | 
been among them. ‘That the swans communicate their demand 
for bread to their leader, who is always the one to ring the 
bell, is evident from the fact that after the black swans were 
introduced into the moat the ringing became so frequent that — 
the housekeeper had to take the string in to secure herself a © 
little peace. Evidently the newcomers were hearty eaters. | 

We all have a right to pray: “Give us this day our daily © 
bread.” We are taught, “Ask and ye shall receive.’’ Let the | 
swans teach us this Children’s Day the lesson of prayer.—H. 

















CHILDREN’S DAY TALK 


There are three sorts of people in the world (little or big), 
and each sort may be likened to a boat. Which boat most ” 
fairly represents your life? 

I. First, there are the people who are like row-boats. | 
They have to be pulled wherever they go. Sometimes it is 
a hard struggle to keep them pointed the right way. , 

II. Next are the people who are like sail-boats. If the 
wind blows east, that is their direction. If it blows west, they 
go that way. Of course, it is possible for them to “beat” 
against the wind,” but rarely, if ever, are they found doing it. 
Their main tendency and purpose incline them to follow every 
wind of emotion or of popular sentiment. | 





CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 205 


III. Finally there are folks who are like a steamboat, 
people who ride against wind or tide, and are not so much 
dependent upon circumstances. Of course we cannot press the 
figure too far, but it is fair to say that these generalizations 
define the attitude of many people to-day. Which boat are 
_ you like? 

IV. People are like boats in other ways. Some seem made 
for pleasure, some for carrying freight; others, for carrying 
passengers. Some are trim and taut, with lines of real beauty, 
and are well-kept in every way. Some go on long voyages, 
some on short ones. You will look out over river and sea 
_ this summer and some day meditate upon the different kinds 

of boats and their likeness to human life.—A. 


RHODA, A GIRL CHRISTIAN 


_ “And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel 
_came to hearken, named Rhoda,” etc. Acts. 12: 13-16. 
Rhoda and Miriam are the only girls of the Bible whose 
names we know. Rhoda was evidently an earnest Christian, 
and occupies an important place in the records of the early 
church. The mention of her name, the memorial of her life, 
and the fragrance of her service are abiding marks of her 
testimony for Jesus. Rhoda means a rose, the emblem of 
beauty, sweetness and fragrance, and these certainly were 
some of the features of Rhoda’s character. 

On a girl’s tombstone in France there is a rose nicely carved 

with these words underneath: ‘‘She was just like that.”” And 
this is the picture the Holy Spirit has drawn of Rhoda in the 
New Testament. A bright, beautiful blessing, “She being 
dead yet speaketh.”’ 
_ J. Rhoda was a true Christian. But you ask, How do you 
know? She was in fellowship with the Church, Acts 2: 47. 
She was interested in the prayer-meeting—prayer, the evi- 
dence of life, Acts 9:11. She was glad when Peter was re- 
leased; Christian love a family mark; grace, life and fellow- 
ship, all true marks of a real Christian. 

II. Rhoda was a careful Christian. She was placed on 
guard. No doubt she was set to watch and listen whilst 
they prayed. There were many enemies about, Acts 12:1. 


206 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


She used her ears well. She hearkened carefully. She used 
her tongue wisely. She asked who was there. She was very 
quick. She recognized Peter’s voice. Grace makes us wise. 
Danger makes us careful. Love makes us quick. 

III. Rhoda was a warm-hearted Christian. ‘She opened 
not the gate for gladness.’’ Rhoda got a little excited, still 
there was joy. Her whole soul responded to the fact that 
prayer was answered and Peter released. ‘There were three 
good reasons for Rhoda’s gladness. Rewarded faith, an- 
swered prayer and relieved anxiety. These blessings are 
always means of great joy and happiness. 

IV. Rhoda was an active Christian. ‘She ran and told 
how Peter stood before the gate.’’ She had a quick ear, warm 
heart, nimble feet, and a ready tongue, all alive for Jesus. 
If we are not like this, let us breathe that oft-repeated prayer 
in Psalm 119: 25, “‘Quicken thou me according to thy word.” 

V. Rhoda was a useful Christian. She was most useful 
to the church then and has been ever since. It was only very 
humble service, but it has been recognized and recorded. It 
is a guide and pattern for every follower of Christ. It was 
wise, hearty, helpful, happy service for the Lord. So every 
Christian, young or old, with head clear, heart warm, soul 
glad, faith strong, feet shod, and the tongue touched by the 
Holy Ghost can do wouter. for the Church and the world” 
too.—REv. CHARLES EDWARDS. : 


9 


A CHILDREN’S SERMON, WITH WHITE MICE ~ ( 
AS A TEXT 


Of course you have all of you seen pictures of submarines; 
and maybe when some of you have been at sea you have 
watched them pass under the water or your quick eyes have 
picked out a submarine’s tower showing just above the waves. 
It cannot be very nice to be inside one of them. But if you 
went for a little voyage in one you would find plenty t 
interest you. Among other things you would almost certainl 
find some white mice; and I am sure you would wonder wh 
they were there. This would be the reason. In submarine 
they carry gasoline, which spreads out and loses itself i 
ordinary air when it has the chance; and to prevent its escap- 


> 































CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 207 


ing and perhaps being harmful, it has to be specially cooped 
up. Even then, unless everybody is careful and all goes well, 
the gasoline escapes; and the white mice are kept, because as 
soon as any gasoline escapes they smell it and begin to squeak. 
And, of course, the moment the sailors hear the squeaking 
they know something is wrong and they hurry to set every- 
thing right. 

I am rather sorry to say that some clever person has in- 
vented a machine for detecting the escape of gasoline; and so 
the order has gone forth from the Board of Admiralty that 
soon no more white mice are to be carried on submarine craft. 
But for all that it is good to think of white mice warning 
great sailor men of danger, and so sometimes even helping 
the crew to save their lives. It shows that whether we are 
small mice or small children we can always do something to 
help others. Also it sets me wondering whether all my little 
hearers have the sense and the courage to cry out whenever 
anything is really wrong and likely to harm other people. Of 
course we all call out when we ourselves are hurt, just as 
white mice squeak if their tails are pinched. But do you call 
out when anything seems likely to harm others? 

1. A lie is always harmful. Do you call out when you 
hear a lie?» 

2. Cheating and bullying and using words that are not 
clean are all of them sins that do more harm than an escape 
of gasoline. 

3. Do you call out when any one plays unfairly or hits 
some one smaller than himself, or talks filth? 
| 4. Of course you cannot say anything if you are always 

doing such naughty things yourself. But if you are wise you 
will refuse to do anything that will harm others; and if you 
are as wise as white mice in a submarine you will call out the 
moment there is danger to other folk—Rev. J. G. STEVEN- 
SON. 


WATCH YOUR STEPS 


“Tf thy children take heed to their way.”’ 1 Kings 2: 4. 
At the subway stations in New York there is a man whose 
business it is to repeat, ““Watch your step,” as passengers 


208 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


are coming and going to trains, for a misstep might mean a 


serious accident if not death. ‘This man receives a good salary 


for the performance of the simple but important duty. 

Many an accident might be prevented by watching one’s 
step. It is a true saying “‘that it is the first step that counts.” 
Why? Because many persons have been started on the road 
to ruin by carelessness in taking the first step. After the first 
step downward is taken, it is much easier to take the second, 
third, and so on. 

Is not that a good lesson for us all? How important it is 
that we watch our steps, especially when we are tempted to 
go to a wrong place or do a wrong thing. Don’t make a mis- 
step. Don’t take a hasty, thoughtless step. Don’t take a 
wrong step. Watch your steps. 


MAKING FACES 


‘The show of their countenance doth witness against them.” 
$873 '5,0% 

Every day as we walk along the street we meet many ie. 
and look into many faces. Some of these faces are hard and 


unpleasant, others are pleasant and beautiful. At one time not 


many years ago, each of these faces had the privilege of ex- 


pressing kindness and beauty. We know that in ten years 


from now, as to-day, we shall see hard cruel faces as well as 
noble and kind ones. ‘These faces are going to be made by 


the boys and girls of to-day. 


As the artist makes his picture line by line, so are we just 
as surely making faces. We can see the artist at work because 
he works on the outside of his picture. We cannot see our 
friends or ourselves at work, because it is all done on the 


inside. The artist works with a brush, but we work with” 


( 


thoughts, words and deeds. Whenever we are tempted to” 
say an unkind word or do an unkind deed to hurt somebody 
else, then we ourselves receive the greater harm. In time 


they may forget our cruelty, but it is built into our lives and 


finds its way to our faces, where it is seen by the world. 

In the theater men paint their faces to fit the parts they 
play. If they are to represent a wicked man they make their 
faces look wicked. In life, whatever part we play, our faces” 


is 
‘ fie 


“a 


CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 209 


grow to look the part. We should all desire to have beauti- 
ful faces, which stand for character. When the artist paints 
a picture, he has a model to follow; if the model is ugly he 
paints an ugly picture, and if the model be beautiful he paints 
a beautiful picture. 

When we say that a boy or girl may be a Christian we 
mean that they may take for their lives the most beautiful 
model. We always think of Jesus as having a beautiful face 
_ because his life was beautiful. If we follow his life and teach- 
ing we cannot have hard, cruel faces for the world to see. 
God meant all faces to be kind and noble, and therefore he 
_ has given us his Son for a model. 

We must always remember that what the poet says is true 
for us: | 


“Beautiful thoughts make a beautiful life, 
And a beautiful life makes a beautiful face.” 
—REeEv. CHESTER J. ARMSTRONG. 


CANDLE SERMON FOR CHILDREN’S DAY 


Text: ‘‘O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may re- 
joice and be glad all our days.” Psa. go: 14. 

An evangelist was talking to a meeting of children. He 
brought out a row of candles on a board; a very long candle 
was at one end, a very short one at the other. Between the 
long candle and the short one were candles of various heights. 
He said that by these candles he wanted to represent the 
grandfather, father and mother, boys and girls and the baby 
of a family who never heard of Christ until a missionary came 
—whom he represented by a lighted candle—and they all gave 
their hearts to Jesus, and from that day loved and served him. 
He then asked which candle they thought represented the 
grandfather, the mother, and so on. They all thought that 
the tallest candle would be the grandfather, but he told them: 
“No, that stands for the baby, the youngest member of the 
family.” Presently one little boy said, “I know why; he has 
the chance to shine the longest for Jesus.” 

Yes, that is one of the greatest advantages of being a little 
Christian—of beginning early. You have the privilege of 


210 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


shining for Jesus so long. If any of you have not done so, 
that is a very special reason why you should give your hearts 
to Jesus now, while you are young. ‘Then you can shine for 
him as long as you live, and you can also have the joys of his” 
religion as long as you live. Pray, ‘“‘O satisfy us early with 
thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” —H. © 


THE PONY ENGINE 


Once upon a time a little freight car loaded with coal 
stood upon a track in a coal-yard. : 
The little freight car waited for an engine to pull it up the 
hill and over the hill and down the hill on the other side. 
Over the hill in the valley people needed the coal on the 
little freight car to keep them warm. | 
By and by a great big engine came along, the smokestack © 
puffing smoke and the bell ringing, “Ding! Dong! Ding!” 
“Oh, stop! Please stop, big engine!’ said the little freight 
car. ‘Pull me up the hill and over the hill and down the 
hill to the people in the valley on the other side.” 
But the big engine said, “I can’t, I’m too busy, 
it went—Choo! Choo! Choo! Choo! 
The little freight car waited again a long time till a smaller 
engine came pufhng by. 3 
“Oh, stop! dear engine, please stop! !? said the little freight 
car. But the engine puffed a big puff and said, “‘I can’t, you’re 
too heavy.” ‘hen away it went, too—Choo! Choo! Choo! 
Choo! 
“Oh, dear!’ said the little freight car, “‘what shall I do? 
The people in the valley on the other side will be so cold with- 
out any coal.” 

After a long time a little pony engine came along, puffing 
just as hard as a little engine could. | 
“Oh, stop! dear engine, please stop and take me up the hill 
and over the hill and down the hill to the people on the other — 
side,” said the patient little freight car. 

The pony engine stopped right away and said, ‘“‘You’re very © 
heavy and I’m not very big, but I think I can. [ll try. Hitch 
on!” 

All the way up the hill the pony engine kept saying, “I 


” and away — 





CHILDREN’S DAY SERMON OUTLINES 211 


think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!” quite 
fast at first. 

Then the hill was steeper and the pony engine had to pull 
harder and go slower, but all the time it kept saying: “‘I- 
think-I-can! I-think-I-can!” till it reached the very top with a 
long puff—‘Sh-s-s-s-s !”” 

It was easy to go down the hill on the other side. 

Away went the happy little pony engine saying very fast, 
“T thought I could! I thought I could! I thought I could! 1 
thought I could!” 

Don’t forget the lesson, boys and girls. Think you can. 
Never think you can’t.—H. 


LESSONS FROM THE DANDELION 


‘The wind passeth over it and it is gone.” Psa. 103: 16. 

Once upon a time in a tiny green camp by the roadside lived 
_asoldier all alone. He had traveled a long way from a dark, 

underground country, and meant to see something of the 
world. The first thing that he saw was a broad field, full 
__ of waving banners, and he thought what a beautiful place he 
__ had discovered, and pitched his tent among the green grasses. 

Soon the raindrop elves saw how tired and dusty he was 
from his journey, and they soothed him with their musical 
stories, and gave him a refreshing shower bath. Through the 
clouds came the sunbeam fairies, bringing him a beautiful unt- 
form of green and gold, and a quiver of golden arrows. Then 
the soldier was very happy, and smiled out at passers-by, and 
cheered many a weary traveler with a glimpse of his sunny 
face. By and by spring went away over the hilltops, the 
birds had finished their nesting, and the butterflies came to 
herald summer. Then the soldier began to feel tired, and 
knew he was growing old. His gray uniform had faded, and 
the golden arrows had turned to silver, and the wind brown- 
ies shot them far away. So the soldier crept down among the 
grasses, and his green camp was left vacant. But everywhere 
his silvery arrows fell there blossomed bright, golden flowers, 
and the little children loved them, and called them dande- 
lions. 

Some of the Indians tell to their boys and girls this story 


212 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 
about the Prairie Dandelion. In the Southland, the lazy old 


. 


South Wind was resting on the ground. One day,*as he 
looked across the prairie, he saw a beautiful girl with yellow — 


hair. For days he saw the maiden, and every day he said, 


‘To-morrow I will go and ask this beautiful girl to live with — 
me.” But the South Wind was lazy and put off going. One — 
day he saw that the maiden’s hair was as white as snow. ‘Oh, — 
the strong North Wind has put his crown upon her head!” — 
he sighed, for he thought he had lost her. But it was not an ~ 
Indian maiden he saw. It was the Prairie Dandelion, and she © 


vanished one windy day. 


Let us do the good things we intend to do now. Oppor- 
tunity passes. Life is fleeting. Be good now. Do good 


now.—H. 


PART XXIX: COMMENCEMENT 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


The Investment of Life: ‘““Take ye away therefore the 
talent from him.” Matt. 25:28. 

Religious Education: “Learn to do well.” Isa. 1:17. 

The Indispensable Book: “lf the foundations be destroyed, 
what can the righteous do?” Psa. 11: 3. 

Sent from God: ‘There was a man sent from God whose 
name was John.” John 1:16. 

Taking Aim: “This one thing I do.” Phil. 3: 13. 

Starting Out: James 1: 5. 

The Voyage of Life: ‘There go the ships.”’. Psa. 104: 26. 

To Understand Our Times: ‘“The children of Issachar, men 
. that had understanding of the times.”” 1 Chron. 12: 32. 

Growing to Know: “If any man think that he knoweth any- 
thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” 1 
Cor. 822. 

Heart and Hand: “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, 
but a fool’s heart is at his left.” Eccl. 10: 2. 

The House of Wisdom: “Through wisdom is a house 
builded.” Prov. 24:3. 

Address to Graduating Class: ‘‘Who knoweth whether thou 
art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Esther 
wees 

The Teaching Book: ‘Nevertheless we have the more sure 
word of prophecy unto which ye do well that ye take heed.” 
FHS Go OU OB 

The Teaching State: “All thy children shall be taught of the 
Lord and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isa. 


B54: 13. 


Education the Doorway to Service: 2 Tim. 2:15, 

Pressing Toward the Mark: “Brethren, I count not myself 
to have apprehended,” etc. Phil. 3:13. 

Your Kingdom: ‘‘Who knoweth whether thou art come to 


the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Esther 4: 14. 
213 


x 


¢ 


PART XXX: COMMENCEMENT 
SERMON OUTLINES 


PASSING DIVIDENDS 


The other day the richest road in New England passed 
its semi-annual dividend. ‘The president of the road reported 
that the road had made a large profit, but that the directors 
thought it wiser to use the money for improvements than to 
pay it to the stockholders. ‘The stockholders and the public 
praised this action because they knew it was needed. 

Every young student is passing his dividends. High school 
or college students may earn considerable money, and some 


ee a ee ee eee ee ee 


of them do. They might pay it to those who have taken stock 


in them, their parents, but they are allowed to use it for im- 
provements. When a student plays ball or joins a glee club 
or does anything else that is like play, while others of his 
Own age are working, the people who are maintaining the 
schools are content, because they are expecting an improved, 
more capable manhood. 

But passing dividends is an emergency step; it ought not to 


be made a habit. ‘Those who have invested their money in — 


a railroad have a right to the interest of their money. And 
so with the student. His parents may not need his money, but 
they have a right to expect his improvement. Those who 
sustain the schools and colleges by their gifts or their taxes 
have a right to find an improved product when school days 
are over, and to-day every educational institution is being 
tested and judged by this question. Last winter the New Eng- 
land college presidents and preparatory-school heads were dis- 
cussing for two days whether a scientific test of their efficiency 
is possible. But whether the test be scientific or not it is being 
made. Our colleges and high schools are under fire. The 
people who help sustain them are asking if they are worth 
while, and they are getting their answers from the kind of 
214 


A ES a 





COMMENCEMENT SERMON OUTLINES 215 


young folks that are being turned out. To-day I am per- 
suaded that unfortunate impressions about our schools are 
being produced by a very small minority of students who do 
foolish things, but every student has the reputation of his 
school very much in his own hands. 

The best justification of any school of higher learning in 
the past has been that it has furnished leaders to the nation, 
and many an earnest student has been made brave during his 
days of struggle by the thought that he was being trained to 
be a man of authority. Figures show that the colleges have 
well met the expectation and that they send out ten times as 
many leaders as come from the uneducated group. But if they 
should fail to do this in the future, they ought at least to 
furnish graduates who do their work well. So when one who 
has had high school or college training neither leads nor does 
his work well, he is passing the dividends that the world has 
a right to share—W. Byron ForsBusu, D.D. 


DEMOCRACY AND EDUCATION 


Education without religion is merely a galvanized corpse. 

I. Education is a function of religion. Moses began with 
education. We know that the development of Israel was the 
result of this education. Our Lord and Saviour was first of 
all called teacher. Go ye into all the world—not only evan- 
gelizing, but teaching them to observe all things I have com- 
manded. | 

II. Education has been the conservation of religion. We 
do not know what Christianity might have become but for it. 
And we need to thank God for the scholarship of that day. 
There is no such thing as a “simple Gospel.’? Sometimes we 
drag the Gospel down to get a little popularity. We may 
talk about a simple ocean, but we can not talk of a simple 
God. The Gospel is not simple. 

III. Every great revival of the world has been the result 
of education. Luther, John Knox, John Wesley, Jonathan 
Edwards, President Finney—all these came from the schools. 
The education came from the Church. It has been wrapped 
up with religion. Democracy itself will not be sufficient. In- 
deed, it is most dangerous, except with education. 


216 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


TRUE EDUCATION 


of Judah, and taught among the people.” 2 Chronicles 17: 9. 
1. It is the function of the state to furnish a general educa- 


tion. The church is the great teacher in the spiritual sphere, © 
but cannot furnish an education of a general nature. Neither ~ 





‘And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of 
the Lord with them; and they went about through all the cities © 


| 
; 
: 


the church nor family possesses the authority or equipment for — 


such an education. 


2. The public school is the digestive organ of the body | 


politic. It is the melting-pot. The Scandinavian and Slav — 


become American. 
3. Education is not complete without the moral element. 


Character is the great aim of education. It must contribute © 
to the prosperity and permanence of the State. Mere mental © 


development is insufficient. 


4. The Bible is the only standard in the field of morality. — 
The standard is not the mere dictum of the teacher, or the — 


best literature, or the lives of our best men, or civil statutes, 
but the Word of God. 
5. The Bible, therefore, should be taught in our public 


schools. It is not sectarian. ‘The Bible as a book should be 1 


used in the school-room; not a book of mere selections. 
6. The wide-spread and long-continued custom of Bible- 
reading in our schools, in connection with the foregoing con- 


siderations, is a strong argument for its retention. The Bible | 


is read in many of the schools all over our land. Not long 
since the attitude of at least twenty-one States was distinctly 
favorable, and in only eight had opinions been rendered 
against it—Rev. T. H. ACHEson. 


“PRESSING TOWARD THE MARK” 


Young people of this class, let me lay upon your hearts the 
practical lessons of this hour. 

I. You must have a worthy purpose, held on to with fingers 
of steel, if you are not to go wabbling and wavering through 
life as unstable as water, which adjusts itself to the bend 
and curvature of every shore. 


ll a 





COMMENCEMENT SERMON OUTLINES 217 


II. You must have a worthy program, a definite plan of 


translating your purpose into deed. 


III. You must have a prize to struggle for worthy of your 
manhood and womanhood. These three or failure. These 
three or oblivion. These three or cipherdom. These three, 
wisely and fearlessly chosen, and they will lift and glorify 
you and crown you with victory and honor.—Rosert F. 
CoyLe, D.D. 


ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS 


‘Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for 


such a time as this?’ Esther 4:14. 


I. The first fact of the message is the face of personality, 
‘Thou art come.” That I am, staggers me. There are times 
when I search for the reasons behind my birth. Value your- 
selves; I give you the supreme truth, Personality is eternal. 
You are here to-day at a commencement; you have finished, 


to begin. 


II. The second fact of the message is the fact of place. 
‘Thou art come to the kingdom.” And the kingdom is the 
kingdom of the present. You are in the world; just now it 


_may not be easy to realize it, but your feet are on the earth, 


and all about you are people with faults and follies as well 
as with smiles and congratulations. There is before you a 


_humdrum business of bread-making and child-rearing, of har- 
vesting and ship-building, of preaching and teaching, of suf- 
fering and dying, of service and of sacrifice. You have missed 


the message of this institution unless you go out from these 


halls to master practical affairs, to solve immediate problems, 


to meet the crisis of the moment, whether that crisis be a high 
circumstance such as Esther faced, or a small sum that 
wrinkles the brow of a child. We have not seen the beau- 


ties or caught the lessons of the radiant Jewess, whose soul 


was more exquisite than her form or face, until we have thrust 


her great ordeal into the life of our times, into the affairs of 
our generation. 

Do not misunderstand me. God pity us when we lose: our 
dreams or when we cease to see visions. We must never be- 


come so engrossed with ministries that we have no patience 


218 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


or time for musing, for prayer, and for communion. Even-— 
tually he runs in a circle who runs without rest. A business — 
bankrupts itself when it becomes a mere counting machine. ~ 
There is an efficiency that is inefficiency. We must cultivate — 
the amenities of the heart; we must wait with friendship and 
tarry with God, if we are to see developed within ourselves 
that spiritual initiative that more than physical force and | : 
mechanical genius shapes the destiny of the world. 
But we must bring this spiritual initiative, we must apply — 
this moral fervor, this divine optimism, to the tasks of the 
kingdom. We must harness our dreams; we must put a sword — 
into the hands of our visions; we must honor our friendships | 
by rendering a service, and glorify our God by making a life. © 
The kingdom is your kingdom, yours to-day as it was_ 
Queen Esther’s yesterday. Again the dignity of personality. — 
Yours for years is the opportunity, and will you sulk because — 
of one who seems by birth and environment to be more favored) . 
than you are? 
The kingdom is your kingdom because yours is the responsi- 
bility. The kingdom is yours because the rewards are yours. © 
III. The third fact of the message is the fact of time. | 
‘For such a time as this.” Already we have appreciated to-_ 
gether the stupendous problems to which we are born, prob- 
lems far more complex and appalling than those confronting — 
the queen whose character is our real message to-day, but 
problems no less solvable, for they are human problems, andy 
we are laborers together with God. 
Let us analyze our time more closely—ReEv. DANIEL AL 
PoLine. | 





FOR SUCH A TIME 


; 
: 
“And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom . 
for such a time as this?” Esther 4: 14. 
I. There is a wisdom for such a time as this. The problem 
may seem difficult. The path may be uncertain. There may — 
be unrest and indecision on every hand. ‘The nations of the 
world may have gotten themselves into a perplexing and an i 
aggravating situation. The business of nations may be facing 
problems never faced before in all their history. Each person 


COMMENCEMENT SERMON OUTLINES 219 


may have some difficulty in the life, that never has been there 
before. Everything and everybody may seem to be dazed and 
greatly puzzled. There is a Wisdom for such a time as this. 

II. There is a patience for such a time as this. Everything 
seems to strike us the wrong way. We break a shoestring. 
We pull a button off our clothes. We spill some water at 
the breakfast table. We stub our toe on the walk and fall. 
Some friend of ours has not done for us what he or she 
promised to do. This keeps up for the entire day. Every- 
thing that we do or try to do goes wrong. It all gets on your 
nerves, and some call it “nerves,” but there is a Patience 
for such a time as this. 

III]. There is a strength for such a time as this. We and 
our church are trying to put on a worthy program in the com- 
munity. This requires equipment for doing what is desired. 
This requires workers to carry on the work. ‘This requires 
‘money and interest to keep the work going. The closer we 
get to the task of the work before us, the more we stand back 
with horror at the great size of it. Then we look at ourselves 
and look again at the task before us. We exclaim, ‘It can’t 
‘be done!” ‘There is a Strength for such a time as this. 

IV. There is a God for such a time as this. The great 
struggle between right and wrong was never greater than it is 
to-day. It would seem at times that everything right, just, 
and honorable, is being dragged down to defeat and dishonor. 
Civilized nations have been grasping at each other’s throat 
in a death struggle. There has been a cessation in the hostili- 
ties, although the spirit of the war is still in the minds of the 
people. We stop and ask ourselves seriously, “‘Why must it 
be so?” There is a God for such a time as this. 

_ V. There is a person for such a time as this. No great 
‘crisis has ever confronted the world, the nation, the state, 
the community or the organization, but that some person has 
stepped forward for such a time as this. God is preparing 
men and women to meet the needs of mankind. Are you using 
this Wisdom, this Patience, this Strength, and this God, so 
that you can be a person for such a time as this?—Rev. W. E. 
RAFFERTY, D.D. 








i 


220 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THE GARDEN OF LIFE 


“Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God.” Ezek. 
oh te 

All privileged conditions of life are gardens of God. The 
privileged conditions of modern life have far eclipsed those 
of any of the cities of the ancient world. Never has life 
afforded such channels for culture, influence and power as 
now. ‘There are many more hundreds of millions of people 
outside of the garden than inside. The privileged people of 
the world are relatively few. 

The second point is the fact that the garden of God is a 
place of opportunity. Even Adam had work to do in primi- 
tive Eden. He was put in the garden to dress it and keep it; 
he was not simply to lie down under the trees and have a good 
time. : 

If he had lived up to his privileges he would have had a 
tolerably strenuous life in trying to overtake his opportunity. 
You have been in Eden, the garden of God. You are there 
now. I tell you that Eden means work, that privilege means 
opportunity for service, that no man has the right to Eden 
who does not remember the people outside the garden gate. — 

One more truth, the garden of God is a place of tempta- 
tion. The last place we should expect to find temptation is in 
God’s garden. Ever since men began to think they have been 
asking why God allows men to be subjected to temptation. 
The only answer is that men would not be men did they not 
have the choice between good and evil. 

We are wrestling in this country with the most tremendous 
problems which have ever confronted any nation—industrial 
problems, political problems, social problems, and, funda- 
mental to all these, moral and religious problems. Around 
us on all sides is a seething mass of foreign born population, 
largely ignorant, sometimes degraded and generally quite un- 
familiar with American ideals. Into this vortex of life you 
are now to pass from the pleasant placidness of your college 
days. 

You will find it a very different kind of experience. If you 
are real men with red corpuscles in your blood and moral fiber 
in your soul you will not hug your cultured privileges to your- 
self and seek for some quiet corner where you can enjoy them, 


: 


COMMENCEMENT SERMON OUTLINES 221 


but, realizing that privilege means responsibility, you will fling 
yourselves into the rough and tumble of the battle, determined 
to give all that is in you for the good of your country and 
for the welfare of your fellow-men. Remember that only 
those who are above can help those who are below, and that 
unto whom much is given from him will much be required.— 
Rev. Paut F. SuTPpHEN, D.D. 


THE TEACHER AND HIS PUPIL 


“The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth.’ Prov. 
16: 23. 
_ The heart has been compared to many things—a citadel, 
-amirror,atemple. Here it is compared to a teacher. 
I. The teacher of the lips. How much of evil does the 
heart of the wicked utter by means of the lips! 

1. The heart of “the wise” is a powerful teacher. The 
head has never made the tongue so eloquent or effec- 
tive. The heart of Paul made his stammering tongue 
to disturb voluptuous Felix, and confound cynical 
Athenians. 

2. The heart of “the wise” is the only teacher of ac- 
ceptable words. God hears none but such as are thus 
dictated. 

3. Let it be a consecrated pupil. Say, ‘‘Lord, my mouth 
shall speak thy praise.” Let your heart cause your 
lips— 

To speak the word of sympathy. 
To speak the word of prayer. 
To speak the word of thanksgiving. 


TO YOUNG WOMEN GRADUATES 


Some one has said that the best thing which cultivation can 
show—the fairest fruit of all its varied agencies—is a lady’s 
parlor—of course with the lady in it. There is a very sug- 
gestive truth in this remark. To make the parlor possible, 
with its elegance, refinement, culture, and its gentle yet con- 
trolling influence, you must lay under tribute all the material, 
intellectual and moral forces of society. 

The Church, the State, and the school, these three potent 
agents whereby society is informed, directed, and molded are 


222 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


intended by the economy of providence to be the chief auxil- 
iaries by means of which the Christian home may be perfect 
and perpetuate itself, may furnish and seat within its parlor its 
succession of Christian women. When these homes are uni- 
versal, when the entire human race on earth is gathered into 
households where purity, and wisdom, and peace are harmoni- 
ous and complete, then neither school, nor state, nor church 
will have more than it can do. 

Whether your power is to be exerted directly in the house- 
hold, the sanctuary and selectest kingdom ordained of heaven 
for women, or whether you are to be employed about those 
ministries which are scarcely more remote from the center of 
our social life, as in teaching, in art, in literature, in works of 
active charity, the constant bearing of your best service will be 
to purify and strengthen and adorn the home. ) 

It is not, believe me, in wealth or social position, or arti- 
ficial accomplishments, that dwells the secret of a useful life. 
These are valuable accessories that no thoughtful man or 
woman will despise, but their value is in their being accessory 
to something of intrinsic excellence. It is in personal good- 
ness—the incommunicable virtue of a noble and pure char- 
acter, that must be found the spring of perennial beneficence, 
a spring that is fed by secret communication with the Fountain 
of Life, and that fertilizes and refreshes all its course with 
these healing waters. Happiness and usefulness are the flower 
and fruit of purity and goodness. 

Knowledge is power; character is a greater power. It is 
your duty, to the world, to yourselves, to God, to be powerful 
in every form of virtue and holy activity. Keep your hearts 
with all diligence, for out of them are the issues of life. You 
have been called to the kingdom of woman’s influence and 
obligation for such a time as this, a time of need, of boundless 
privilege, of opportunity for the highest and most enduring 
rewards. I cannot doubt that you will fill life with the ministry 
of thoughtful sympathy and Christian love, and pass at last 
from the earthly homes, which your presence has brightened 
and blessed, to the heavenly home, which has been made 
blessed and bright for you by One who has now gone to pre- 
pare for it, and who will then welcome and crown you at its 
threshold —Rev. LEMuEL Moss. 


PART XXXI: INDEPENDENCE DAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


Mammon a Nation’s Destroyer: ‘“Thou shalt not covet.” 
Ux. 2.0 2317. 

The Bible and Christian Citizenship: “Except the Lord keep 

the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psa. 127: 1. 

The Foundation of National Greatness: ‘“The entrance of 
thy word giveth light.” Psa. 119: 130. 

Lest We Forget: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and 
the nations that forget God.” Psa. 9:17. 

Love of Country and Labor for the Church: ‘He loveth our 
nation, and himself built us our synagogue.” Luke 7: 5. 

The Patriotism of Jesus: ““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that 

-killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! 
how often would I have gathered thy children together, even 

_as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would 
motes co Viatts. 2337317, 

The Undismayed Christ: “He will not fail nor be discour- 
aged.” Isa. 42:4. 

The Unification of the Nation: ‘One law shall be to him 
that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth 
among you.” Ex. 12:49. 

_ Why Nations Perish: “Tt is ca destruction, O Israel, that 
thou art against me.” Hos. 13: 

Men Who Made America: “A man shall be as a hiding 
place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as rivers 
of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a 
weary land.” Isa. 32:2. 

Pure Patriotism: “And not for that nation only, bat that 
also he should gather together in one the children of God 
that were scattered abroad.” John 11: 52. 

Twin Foes of the Republic: The Saloon and Mormonism: 
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountains; 
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as 


the waters cover the sea.”’ Isa. 11:9. 
223 


224 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Conquered with the Cross: “God forbid that I should glory, 
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Gal. 6: 14. 

The Land We Love: “Blessed is the nation whose God is 
the Lord; and the people whom he has chosen for his own 
inheritance.” Psa. 33': 12. 

True National Greatness: 1 Kings 10: 1-9. 

A Staunch Patriot: Neh. 2: 1-8. 

W hat Should be Our Aititude Toward Our National Sins? 
Neh. 1: 6. 

Our National Beginnings and Some Lessons from Them: 
‘Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there 
any divination against Israel. What hath God wrought!” 
Numbers 23: 23. 

The Song of the Patriot: Psa. 48. 

Examples of Bible Patriots: Samuel, 1 Sam. 8; Eli, 1 Sam. 
4:18; David, Psa. 33:12; Nehemiah, Neh. 1: 3; Solomon, 
1 Kings 3:9; Elisha, 2 Kings 13:17; The Lord Jesus Christ, 
Matt )i27°37,.23. 

Genuine Patriotism: “He prophesied that Jesus should 
die for that nation and not for that nation only.” John 
Li gree. 


An Exalted Nation: ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation; but 


sin is a reproach to any people.” Prov. 14: 34. 
The Shame of a Nation: Prov. 14: 34. 
Attitude Toward Civic Conditions: Isa. 62:1. 
Source of National Welfare: Psa. 147: 12-14. 
Value of Citizenship: Esther 4: 13, 14. 
Reproach of an Unpatriotic Citizen: Judges 5: 17, 23. 


The Patriotic Prayer: “Do good in thy good pleasure unto 


Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem.” Psa. 51:18. 


Prayer and Patriotism: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; | 
they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy em : 


and prosperity within thy palaces.’’ Psa. 122: 6. 

A Patriotic People: ‘*Then sang Deborah and Barak the son 
of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the 
avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered them-— 
selves.” Judges 5:1. 

Being a Christian at the Ballot Box: Psa. 28: 1-9. 

God the Supreme Ruler: t Sam. 16: 6-12. 

Righteousness Paramount: Prov. 14: 28-34. 


a a. 


INDEPENDENCE DAY TEXTS AND THEMES 225 


Rulers Are of God: Num. 27: 21-23. 

Obeying Rulers: Rom. 13: 1-7. 

The Consent of the People: Ex. 24: 1-3. 

Prayer as an Agency in Patriotism: ‘‘Pray for the peace of 
Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love thee.” Psa. 122: 6. 
True patriotism puts prayer for one’s country above every 
other agency for its progress and protection. God is the God 
of nations. ‘He putteth down one and setteth up another.” 
If we would celebrate wisely our national Independence Day, 
earnest prayer for our country and for all who rule over us 
will fill a large portion of our time and thought for that day. 
Try this method of celebrating the ‘Glorious Fourth’ this 
year, and you will find that patriotism is close akin to religion. 

The Man aig the Gun: “As a good soldier of Jesus 
Corist. +2 1im,2:: 

The Munitions of Wade. ‘The whole armor of God.” Eph. 
Hach Es 

On the Firing Line: “And there was war again, and David 
- went out and fought . . . they fled before his face.” 1 Sam. 
i938.) 

The Base of Supplies: ‘‘My God shall supply all your need 
according to his riches . . . by Jesus Christ.”’ Eph. 4: 19. 

The Line of Communication: “Hereafter ye shall see . . . 
angels (messengers) ascending and descending upon the Son 
of man.” John 1: 51. 

The Reconnaissance: “Get thee down unto the host.” 
- Judges 7: 9. 

Contraband of War: “No man that warreth entangleth 
mnimself.”’. 2 Tim, 2:4. 


PART XXXII: INDEPENDENCE DAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


THE NATION’S GREATEST NEED 


“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psa. 
gg he VI 

I. The Nation’s greatest need to-day is to recognize the 
sovereignty of God. It will put iron into men’s blood and 
strength into their resolve to do right. Yet, to-day there are 
many who have not time for God; they ignore his throne; 
they never mention his name; unless it be in some time of 
awful disaster and when all earthly things fail they turn to 
him in last resort. How much better to remember him all 
the way, allowing his throne to be set up in our hearts; giving 
place to his plan and looking forward to the consummation 
that shall be glorious and the victory eternal. 

II. As we study the Scriptures we find it is a stormy book; 


there are battles and movement of things and while in places. 


we see green pastures and feel the sweetness, yet these things 
are given amid convulsion in the'social order, upheavals of 
kingdoms, the presence of enemies and terror, the marching 
of armed forces, the pestilence that walked in darkness, hurri- 


canes of disaster that swept the land, rivers that have over- 


flown their banks. But-.God is ever the King. He hath 


founded his kingdom upon the seas and established it upon 


the floods. 


III. Multitudes turn to the wrong way, but in the thick 
of the fight and amidst the clamor of the world there is the - 
voice of a great multitude amidst the mighty thunderings, say- 


ing, “Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.” 


IV. God calls us to realize that he is on the throne and 
his voice is not meant as a lullaby, but intended to be clarion” 
in tone. ‘There are calls for rest of heart, but there is also 


the demand to tread the thorny steep ways that lead to holi- 


ness and if need be, to march without fear into the “Valley 


226 


? 
. 





INDEPENDENCE DAY SERMON OUTLINES 227 


of the Shadow.” The Lord reigns! Every man should then 
be at his task with both hands and consecrated soul, for he is 
on God’s side and shall never meet defeat.—H. H. 


THE BLESSING OF LIBERTY 


‘To proclaim liberty to the captive.” Isa. 61:1 

I. One of the chief purposes of human governments is the 
bestowal of liberty upon all its subjects. No other word so 
thrills the patriotic heart. Liberty is loved more than life; 
men will roam sea and land to rest under the folds of the flag 

of liberty. Its waving leads legions onward to the battle- 
field, where soldiers die happily while liberty’s banner is in the 
ivan of victory. 
_ II. Liberty means the slave emancipated con his chains; 
it means freedom from the rack of torture, from the heel of 
tyrants, the rule of bigots, the bond binding the mind and the 
‘soul of manhood. Liberty means the banishment of the task- 
“master of the oppressor, of the devil and his minions. Lib- 
erty stands under the stars and sings the song of freedom from 
the power of sin and from the crushing rule of despotism and 
militarism. 

Ill. The great inheritance of a liberty-loving people is its 
memories of its heroes; its poets, historians, statesmen, legis- 
lators; its great givers and philanthropists. The organization 
_of the nation may perish, but the influence of its mighty prod- 
‘ucts will be garnered in the kingdom of God forever and 
-ever. If we could hear the voice of the millions. who have 
fallen on the battlefields of earth, would they not exclaim, 
“We died that liberty might live, that righteousness and truth 
might reign among all the peoples of the earth’ ?—Rev. E. 
EW. CASWELL, D.D. 


THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP 


“Except Jehovah keep the city, the watchman waketh but 
Min vain.” Psa. 127: 1. 
__ There is an increasing tendency to relate the Bible to every- 
day life. No far-away mystic or theological interpretation of 
‘Scripture satisfies the modern man. We in these United States 





228 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


especially are a practical people, and we require from our re- 
ligion, as from everything else, a serviceable aid in the matters 
nearest at hand. 

I. Citizenship is a very practical and important matter at 
present, and there is much in the Bible regarding it. In the 
Old Testament, laws and procedure, politics and religion, were 
closely intermingled. Jehovah was the God of the nation as 
truly as of the individual. 

II. It is taught in the Bible that good citizenship is a 
personal matter, a matter of honesty, paying one’s debts, culti- 
vating a keen conscience toward our neighbors, being unpar- 
tisan and developing the traits of mercy, peace and righteous- 
ness in all dealings. ‘The old sexton at Amesbury, Mass., was 
asked his creed; he answered, “I try to shovel a straight path; 
I shovel it wide; I shovel it clean.” A good citizen, whether 
he shovels snow or sells merchandise or builds bridges, is a 
man of conscience in his work. Citizenship is more than cast- 
ing a ballot; it is a life of righteousness. 

III. The Master taught that the Christian citizen was 
marked by serving. His was a ministry of washing his dis- 
ciples’ feet, of healing, of going the second mile. It was the 
democracy of service, and the constitution of the Christian 
state was written in love. A great citizen is one who makes 
his life not a career simply, but a mission. ‘This was what 
the psalmist called, ‘Keeping the city.’’-—C. S. E. 


RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION 


“Righteousness exalteth a nation.” Prov. 14:34. 

I. Righteousness promotes the life of a nation. Good has 
in it the seeds of life. It is constantly reproducing itself. 
It has in it the potency of increased harvests of good. It 
produces thirty, sixty and a hundredfold. Evil has within 
itself the principle of decay. Its tendency is towards death, 
disintegration, destruction. 

II. Righteousness promotes the prosperity of a nation. 
Evil does not pay. Good does pay. It is true of nations as" 
of individuals that ‘‘Godliness is profitable unto all things, 
having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is 
to come.’ Queen Victoria was right when she handed a Bible 


———————— 


INDEPENDENCE DAY SERMON OUTLINES 229 


_ to an ambassador from a heathen chief and said: “Tell your 
master that this is the secret of England’s greatness.”’ The 
_ best patriot is the man who loves his Bible best, tries hardest 
to live by it, and to get others to live by it. 
III. Righteousness is the chief factor not only in the pros- 
perity, but in the safety of any nation. The nation that lives 
by the Golden Rule will keep free from strife. It will not 
ignore the dictates of common sense. It will not lay down 
its arms and invite others to over-run and over-ride it. It 
will maintain its own strength and dignity. But it will main- 
tain first of all righteousness of conduct. It will find its great- 
est strength after all in its character, its righteousness. A 
nation that is righteous is safe. 
_ “But sin is a reproach to any people.” It cannot be denied 
that in our times iniquity does most alarmingly abound.—H. 


THE LAND WE LOVE 


“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the 
_ people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.” Psa. 
33:12. 
God has given us a pleasant land, a very fruitful land, a 
‘land blessed with intelligence, liberty and Christian faith. 
This country of ours is a goodly heritage. We believe it was 
wise forethought in our fathers which led them to set apart 
Independence Day for yearly observance, when the attention 
of all our people would be turned toward a review of our past 
history and toward a consideration of questions bearing upon 
our future national interests and welfare. — 
’ J. One of the facts the day should fix in our minds is that 
the founders of our Republic recognized God. ‘The last sen- 
tence of the Declaration of Independence reads: ‘“‘And for 
the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the 
protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge,” etc. 
II. We may learn also from this day something of the 
power of woman’s influence. When Great Britain placed a 
‘tax on silk, the women of America said, ‘“‘We will wear no 
silk.” When a tax was placed on tea, they said, “We will 
drink no tea.”’ While history speaks of the Warrens and the 
_ Jaspers let it not fail to mention also the women of the Revo- 








230 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


lution. ‘And let-us not forget the influence of women to-day 
upon the nation’s welfare. | 

III. We may learn also from Independence Day the neces- 
sity for putting one’s heart into one’s work. The signers of 
the Declaration of Independence pledged their “‘lives, fortunes 
and sacred honor,’”-—all they had they threw into that move- 
ment for independence. 

IV. Let us learn lastly, the importance of committing one’s 
self publicly to the support of right principles. Fifty-six men 
put their names on the Declaration of Independence. Placing 
a name there meant victory or death. Had they not com- 
mitted themselves thus publicly they would have been more 
likely to waver before the war ceased. But after the names 
were down there was no retreat. As Franklin said: “We must 
either hang together or hang separately.”’—H. 


LOVE OF LIBERTY 


‘“The small one shall become a strong nation.” Isa. 60: 22. 

In 1608 an armistice was declared by Philip III, which 
closed a weary century of war. In that war Holland, with 
her insignificant three millions, had stood unswervingly against 
Spain for the inalienable rights of men two centuries before 
France wrote them in blood upon her walls or America 
sounded them forth in the clear notes of the Independence 
Bell. 

The men of Holland had fought their campaign to a finish. 
Carlyle wrote: ‘““The Dutch are a strong people. They raised 
their land out of a marsh and went on, for a long time, breed- 
ing cows and making cheese; and might have gone on with | 
their cows and cheese until doomsday. But Spain came over 
and said, ‘We want you to believe 1 in Saint Ignatius.” “Very 
sorry,” replied the Dutch, “but we can’t.” ‘‘Aye, but you 
must,’ said Spain. And they went about it with guns and 
swords to make them believe in Saint Ignatius. Never made | 
them believe in him, but did succeed in breaking their owt 
vertebral column and raising the Dutch into a great nation. — 

In our country’s history three names emerge above all others 
as representative of the broad and vital principles on which 
the Republic rests, to wit: Washington, Lincoln and Roose- 






INDEPENDENCE DAY SERMON OUTLINES 231 


-velt. Let Americans of English blood be proud of Washing- 
ton; let those who trace their lineage to Scotland speak rever- 
ently of Lincoln; the sons and daughters of Holland on their 
part will ever be thanking God for their kinship with Theo- 
dore Roosevelt. His name alone, were there none other to 
show for the influence of the Dutch forefathers, would be 
-ample proof that it had not “vanished into thin air.” —REv. 
Davin JAMEs BurRELL, D.D. 


FOES OF OUR COUNTRY 


‘fA man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Matt. 
P10: 36. 

_ I. With the state it is the same as with the individual, the 
worst enemies are those that are within. As a man’s most 
deadly foes are his own passions, so a state’s foes are a cer- 
tain type of its own citizens. 

_ The judge who misapplies the law, the oficial who takes 
bribes, the politician who uses his influence to liberate crimi- 
nals, the big business man who crushes a weak opponent or 
-oppresses his employees, the stock shark who gobbles up the 
public savings, and the host of others who profit from evil- 
_doing—these are the men who endanger America. 

II. The battle is between the forces of disintegration and 
those of construction. It is an age-old battle, and it will last 
_for years to come. We are but privates in a gigantic war of 
opposing forces headed by Christ on the one hand and Satan 
on the other. 

III. The weapon we fight with is a Christlike life. Light 
overcomes darkness, therefore let us turn on the light. Good 
overcomes evil, therefore practice the good. Love vanquishes 
selfishness, therefore let us seek the love of Christ. 
| IY. Our victory is not that of force, but of divine ideas. 
The house of evil is crumbling faster than it can be built. The 
house of good cannot crumble; it is eternal——R. 





INFLUENCE OF THE DECLARATION 


“With a great sum (price) obtained I this freedom.” Acts 
pe2: 28. 


232 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES q 


While we celebrate on the 4th of each July the adoption of 
the Declaration of Independence, we perhaps do not reflect 
on the stupendous influence of that document on the world as 
a whole. It is safe to say that no political paper in all his- — 
tory has had so universal or radical an effect. Not only did — 
its promulgation mark the beginning of the life of our nation, 
and not only was it the mother of the emancipation proclama- — 
tion, but its advent started the wave of democracy and liberty — 
now seen in every nation on the earth. Surely Americans have 
a right to be proud of a document that has literally inaugu- 
rated a new era of humanity. 

Although it would hardly be within the truth to say that 
the Declaration of Independence had wrought all the marvel- © 
ous political changes that have swept the world since July 4, 
1776, it would be entirely within the truth to state that it 
has been the greatest single influence and therefore has the — 
right to be considered the symbol of all the forces that have — 
wrought these changes. And what a transformation it has — 
been! Then liberty was nowhere. Now it is everywhere. © 
Then England had sunk to well nigh her lowest stage of — 
despotism. France was misgoverned and hopeless. Germany — 
was a conglomeration of inchoate states, the Latin nations — 
were in feudal bondage. Russia had scarcely emerged from — 
semi-barbarism, all of Asia was as she had been for thou- © 
sands of years. Africa and Australia were unknown and both — 
North and South America were covered with fringes of colo- | 
nies and vast savage interiors. To-day every land beneath © 
the sun has been touched by the new life, the new aspiration, — 
the new freedom. } 

France was the first to respond to the call, and with her © 
own revolution drove the democratic wedge fashioned in ~ 
America far into the heart of Europe. England, the very — 
nation against which the American Revolution had been waged, © 
was the next to be moved toward liberty by the new example, © 
her two defeats by this country shocking her into sanity and — 
her own thinkers forcing her to adopt reform bills, to take © 
up a liberal colonial policy and to bring about a real revolu- 
tion, although a peaceable one. Italy shook off the thralldom 
of centuries, united her states and joined the ranks of the 
progressive nations. One after another the states of Europe 








INDEPENDENCE DAY SERMON OUTLINES 233 


either became republics or constitutional monarchies. Even 
Russia could not escape the universal wave of democracy. 
Poor Spain has tried several times to adopt republicanism, 
but the reactionary forces have been too strong and have 
held her until all of her colonies and most of her ancient glory 
have been swept away. 

Following the example of the United States, all of the 
Americans threw off the foreign yoke and became republics. 
And Australasia, touched by it, has the most enlightened 
and progressive governments in the world. Truly the Decla- 
ration of Independence has done its work, and the story is 


only half told—A. C. Squires. 


THE DUTIES OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN 


“The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I 
have a goodly heritage.” Psa. 16:6. 

_ On Friday, July 4th, begins the one hundred and forty-ninth 
“year of independence of the United States. The day will 
furnish the occasion for sermons appropriate to the event 
commemorated from most of the more than one hundred 
thousand pulpits of our country; and from these discourses 
-much will go forth to impress upon the public thought the 
fact that nothing becomes a nation so much as righteousness 
and true patriotism. ‘There is much that is grand and noble in 
our history. There is much to inspire us to the realization 
of high ideals in the future. Every American citizen should 
do all in his power to perpetuate the civic and religious bless- 
_ ings which are his by birthright, and to hand down unimpaired 
_to the latest posterity those free institutions under which it is 
his privilege to live. 

I. It is the duty of an American citizen to love his country. 
_ Christ was a patriot; his mission was first to his own nation, 
/and any religion which has not in it the elements of true 
_ patriotism is foreign to the religion of Christ. 

II. It is the duty of an American citizen to reverence the 
laws of his land. Laws are necessary. ‘They promote the well 
being of the people. Christianity does not destroy patriotism, 
but develops and sanctifies it. The Christian citizen should 
_ know the laws, reverence them, obey them. If laws are bad 


234 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


he may.labor to change them; but true reverence for law 
should be one of the predominant traits of his character. 

III. It is the duty of an American citizen to treat with 
respect those who are in office. It is written, ‘Thou shalt not 
speak evil of the rulers of my people.” ‘The speaking evil of | 
those in authority is one of the most common sins of the 
American people. It is both a sin and a mistake. It is some- 
thing all Christians should discountenance and discourage by - 
word and example. 

IV. It is the duty of an American citizen to exercise the © 
elective franchise according to the best light and judgment he > 
has. It is one of the charges of Mr. Kidd, in his stimulating 
work, ‘‘Social Evolution,” against Americans, that they lack 
civic self-sacrifice. JHe says that they prefer self and party © 
to the town or city, the state or nation. Some prefer self 
to the extent that they do not even take the trouble to vote — 
at all. It is the citizen’s duty to vote, and to vote intelli- 
gently and honestly. ‘Those who stand aloof because of © 
the bad repute of politics only help to make the matter 
worse. 7 | 
V. It is the duty of an American citizen to aid in the gen- 
eral diffusion of sound knowledge throughout the land. A. 
republic cannot exist where the people are ignorant. The 
ignorant cannot understand their duties and rights as citizens. | 
In America the people are the rulers. We are all kings. It 
is our duty to be intelligent and to promote intelligence 
throughout the whole land. That means among the foreigners - 
that come, in the slums of our cities, in the frontier regions of 
the country, among white and black, red and yellow, and 
people of all conditions. 

VI. It is the duty of an American citizen to do all in his 
power to elevate the moral character of the people. The 
heart as well as the head needs cultivation. ‘Righteousness 
exalteth a nation.” ‘The holders of the destiny of a nation 
like ours should be moral as well as intelligent. They should 
be Christian. They should recognize the God who gave us 
our nation and has guided our history. 

During perilous times in ancient Rome there were two aspi- 
rants for the throne, Constantine, a professed Christian, and 
Maxentius, a fierce fanatical pagan. ‘The conflict appeared 





SS ee Se 








x ale “4 4 


INDEPENDENCE DAY SERMON OUTLINES 235 


' to be between Christianity and paganism, between Christ and 
| the devil. Constantine relates that about noon, when in 
_ prayer, on his march, a flaming cross appeared in the sky, with 
the words, ‘‘In This Conquer.” He henceforth displayed the 
standard of the cross in his army and fought in the name 


of Christ. In his name, we shall conquer and reach the high- 
est and holiest destiny. In Christ’s name, in the sign of the 


cross, we shall be ever victorious. It is the duty of an Ameri- 


can citizen to recognize the God of nations, who has given 


us our “goodly heritage,” and to exalt the banner of true 
_ Christianity —H. 


WHAT THE LIBERTY BELL SAID: TALK TO 
CHILDREN | 


Don’t you always feel glad that it was a boy who helped 


send out the news that our Congress in the State-house in 
_ Philadelphia had decided that our country was to be free? 
_ On the morning of that fourth day of July the old bell-ringer 
' of the State-house had been up in the steeple waiting to ring 
his bell if Congress should adopt the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. He had put a boy down at the door to send him 
_ up word as soon as there should be any news. 


Hour after hour went by, and no news came, for our states- 
men were thinking very soberly before they could really make 


_ up their minds to say that we should break away from Eng- 
‘land for all time. The old bell-ringer said, ‘“They will never 
~ do it; they will never do it!’’ and then suddenly there was a 
great shout from below, and there stood the boy clapping his 


hands, and crying, “Ring! Ring!’’ The old man caught the 


clapper of the bell in his hands and swung it back and forth 


a hundred times, and every time the bell called out ‘‘Free! 
mree! Pree!” 
There is a strange thing about the words engraved on that 


: bell. They say: ‘‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land 


and to the inhabitants thereof,” and yet those words were put 


there when the bell was cast in 1753, which was more than 


twenty years before we ever thought of being free from Eng- 
land and an independent country. 


The splendid old bell did its work and stands now in Inde- 






236 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


pendence Hall at Philadelphia, where we can see it when we 
go to that city. j 

Little silver Liberty Bells have been made. There is a | 
school in New York that has one, and on the last day of school - 
they ring it once for every year of our independence. How 
many is that this year? 


PART XXXII: TEXTS AND THEMES 
CONCERNING VACATION 


The Ethics of Holidays: “Come ye yourselves apart into a 
desert place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31. 

Purpose in Taking a Vacation: John 4: 36. 

Some Pleasures in Vacation Time: Luke 24:13-15. I. 
Christians can commune together. II. Jesus draws near. 
III. Have * ‘good report” of others. 

The Spirit in Which We Should View God's Works: Psa. 
-104:24. Admiring God’s wisdom and riches and goodness. 
See adaptation and design in them. Worship the Designer. 
— Work, Then Vacation: Mark 6:30. The apostles had been 
‘engaged in work for Christ that must have taxed their 
strength and their sympathies much as it doubtless delighted 
‘them. The best preparation for enjoying a vacation rest is 
_to have done with one’s might work that is worth while. 

*  Christ’s Consideration: Mark 6:31. Christ did not spare 
himself, but he knew the weakness of his followers’ flesh, and 
it was at his call only that they sought quiet and rest. He was 
mindful of their need even although there was still no lack of 
opportunity for service, all the more because they were so 
crowded. 

_ Serving Others During Vacation: John 4: 4-10, 25, 26. “As 
ye go preach.’ Speak to others as did Jesus by the well in 
_ Samaria. 

_ Facation Dangers: 1 John 2:15-17. 1. Of over-love of 
_the world. 2. Of forgetfulness of its God. 3. Of uselessness. 
Results of a Well-Spent Vacation: Isa. 40:31. Renewal. 
I. Physical. 2. Mental. 3. Spiritual. 

Perils of the Summer: “There came a viper out of the 
| Heat.” Acts 28:3. 

Holiday Rest: “In quiet resting places.” Isa, 32: 18. 

The Religious Side of Rest: “Come ye yourselves apart into 


a desert place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31. 
237 











238 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Vacation Benefits and Dangers: ‘“Then they that were scat- 
tered abroad everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:4. 
Preach the word, teach the word, live the word, while on your | 


vacation. » 


The Holiness of Holidays: “Y will give you rest.” Matt. 


11:28. 


Learning of God in Vacation: Psa. 19: 1-7. By studying — 
Nature, and seeing God’s wisdom, love and design in creation. 


Sermons in Shoes: “As ye go preach.” Matt. 10:7. 
Studying Nature: Psa. 65: §-13. 

Summer Sojourners: 1 Pet. 2: 9-11. 

Choosing the Best: Phil. 4: 8-9. 

Appreciation and Contentment: Psa. 16: 5-9. 
Religion When We Rest: Mark 6: 30-44. 


Purpose in Taking a Vacation: John 4:36. To “finish our 
work.’ Rest in order to work. Like horses ona hill. They 
stop at the ““Thank-you-mams” and rest to make a stronger 


pull up the hill. 


Choice of Vacation Pleasures: 1 Cor. 8:13. Don’t oneness : 


others by foolish indulgences. Don’t weaken our own prin- 
ciples or theirs. Examples—Sabbath breaking, card- playing, 
dancing. 

Dangers in Excess of Pleasures: 1 John 2: 15-17. I. Over- 
love of the world. II. Forgetfulness of God. III. Useful-— 


ness. IV. Even harmfulness. 


We should rest, not for dreams, but for to be and to do. | 








PART XXXIV: SERMON OUTLINES 
CONCERNING VACATIONS 


VACATION REST 


“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest 
fa while.” Mark 6:31. 

' At this season of the year how much we hear about vaca- 
‘tion. The winter, with its cold, invigorating weather, the time 
for hard exercise, bodily and mental, has given way to spring- 
time, with its balmy air, its buds and flowers, to lure us on 
toward the time, when, with aching brow and tired frames, 
we turn from the busy throng in life’s mad rush for a live- 
lihood, toward the coolness and the quietness and the rest of 
a summer vacation. 

Shall it be spent by the seashore, on the mountain’s height, 
in an ever-changing sight-seeing, at a fashionable resort, or 
in the quiet of the country? Where and how shall we spend 
our vacation? At this season these are the questions asked, 
-and which must be answered. We regret that many have but 
a short rest-time. Perhaps some, only the legal holidays. I 
“never hear the word vacation, or rest-time, but I recall those 
words of Jesus, ‘Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, 
and rest a while.” Though he be foot-sore and weary, he is 
ever thoughtful of his loving followers. 

I like to study those words of Jesus. 

I. First. It is an invitation, come. How many times the 
Blessed Master uttered that sweet word, ‘‘come.” ‘‘Come 
‘unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will 
‘give you rest.” ‘‘Come, take up thy cross and follow me.” 
“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 
for you from the foundation of the world.” Not go, a com- 
“mand, but come, an invitation. Come with him for rest. 
Come to him to rest. 


II. Second. ‘Apart.’ Separate from the multitude. 
239 





240 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 

















There is inspiration and strength in numbers, when a battle 
must be fought’ or heavy task performed, but the tired body” 
and mind require quiet, to be alone, apart from those who 
would disturb and annoy. Jesus, when worn in body and sad7 
in spirit, went alone, on the mount, or in the wilderness, and 
spent a night in prayer. Again we find him alone in the? 
Garden of Gethsemane. 4 

III. Third. ‘Into a desert place,” separate from the} 
multitude, they are to retire to a desert place. No noise, no) 
confusion, no crowds, alone with nature and Jesus. “And> 
rest a while.” When the day is far spent, his disciples return’ 
to work. We see here Jesus only bids them rest when weary. | 
They tell him all things, both what they had done and taught.” 
They needed rest. A lesson for us—we should rest when! 
tired, for then and then only can we do our best work. ‘There’ 
is some rest and refreshment in a change of scene from one) 
place of life to another, but if one is to get the most good™ 
from a rest-time, it must be spent in quiet. What a wonder- 
ful power to quiet and soothe has nature, the cooling air, 
the beauty of stream, of tree, of flower, the changing sky 
or singing bird. 

Those can truly appreciate the rest and quiet of nature 
who through the long winter and springtime have been con- 
fined within the walls of a heated, noisy city. 

In nature’s quiet is the opportunity for communion with 
God. As Jesus went alone on the mount and in the garden, 
so we need go alone with Jesus; for rest in the fullest, sweet- 
est sense of the word means the quiet place where one can 
meet with nature and with God.—E. Y. | 


a 


| 
. 





i 


COME YE APART 


‘Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest 
a while.” Mark 6: 31. 

Every human body needs the recuperation of physical rest. 
When Daniel Webster made his last visit to John Adams, the 
aged ex-president said: “I am as well as any man of nearly 
ninety years could expect to be. I find I am afflicted with a ‘ 
incurable disease called old age. My spirit ts occupying ql 
very shaky tenement. And as far as I can make out, sity, 


id 





SERMON OUTLINES CONCERNING VACATIONS 241 


the Landlord does not intend to make any more repairs.” 
That statement of John Adams was figuratively right, and yet 
literally wrong. ‘The human body, which was once created 
out of dust, is being re-created up to the very brink of the 
grave. We eat and drink and rest in order to give nourish- 
ment and strength to the bones, the muscles, and the flesh. 
And rest is just as essential for the physical re-creation as food 
and water and light. 

The purpose of this sermon is to show that every hard- 
working Christian, at least once a year, should go out into 
the country and take a vacation, a prayerful rest, the same as 
Jesus’ disciples, who left their work to take a rest. It is 
every Christian’s duty at least once a year to leave the home, 
‘the store, the factory, and have a complete change of scene 
and food. When Phebe Cary came to die, looking up at 
her physician, she said, “Doctor, you can do nothing for me. 
The reason I am dying is because for years I would never 
take a rest. Even when I went off into the country I always 
took my books and pen and worked.’”’ ‘Thousands and tens 
of thousands of the best brains and hearts of the pulpit, the 
bar, the medical office, and of all the Christian departments 
of life, have simply killed themselves in their young man- 
hood and womanhood because they would not obey Christ’s 
‘command and take a rest—Rev. FrRanK DeWirtr Tat- 
MAGE, D.D. 


PERILS OF THE SUMMER 


“Then came a viper out of the heat.” Acts 28: 3. 

The ship which carried Paul, the prisoner, had been 
wrecked on the rocks of Melita. The rescued crew, pas- 
sengers and soldiers, wet to the skin from the sea water and 
the cold rain, gathered shivering around a fire made by the 
hospitable islanders. Paul, as usual doing his part, collected 
a bundle of drift wood. No sooner had this new fuel become 
‘ignited than a viper, made dormant by the winter cold, was 
warmed to life with uncomfortable suddenness. Indignantly 
leaping from its fiery bed, it lit upon the chilled hands of the 
apostle, stretched out over the fire. How astonished the 
‘Natives were at this apparently divine judgment upon a crimi- 


ti he 


242 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


nal escaped from a watery grave. How much greater their 
astonishment when, casting the viper off into the fire, contrary 
to all previous experience with such deadly snakes, the arm 
neither swelled with the poison nor did Paul fall over sud- 
denly, dead. 

Every year the summer exodus becomes greater, from the 
city to the country, from man-made streets to God-made fields, 
from the derived to the original. Every year the health of 
the nation is becoming better, the strain of living easier to 
bear. 

The occasional Christian duty of absolute cessation from 
routine work is obvious. Too little guarded against are the 
vipers which are animated by the heat of this bending the 
vacation season to fearful activity. Fastening upon our souls, 
the poison of their bite sickens and kills unless we are inocu- 
lated with the same virus which saved Paul. They are 
myriad. 

I. Idleness is the name of one. Very old and very true is 
the proverb: “Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands 
to do.” Vacation means a mind vacant of its ordinary rou- 
tine, as well as a body vacant from its usual place. But the 
mind, like the body, should be somewhere else—never no- 
where. Now, get away far enough to gain a bird’s-eye-view 
of the year you have lived so feverishly, to take a mental and 
spiritual inventory, to see the mistakes you have made, to 
measure the successes you have won. Such retrospect and 
prospect are the opposite of idleness. They have no viper 
sting. 

II. Inconsistency is a viper with a deadly summer-bite. 
With the thermometer at ninety it is not so easy to be conscien- 
tious as when it is at zero. Is it not just as binding? The 
best capital I have is my good name. Conveniences from 
which you are deprived in a boarding-house may make it hard 
for you to have your prayer time with God. Nothing should 
make it impossible. Excursions, baseball games, outings, 
boats, fishing tackle, reduced railroad fare, the stifling heat 
of the city, the need of being at work early Monday morn- 
ing, all induce you to forget the sacredness of the Lord’s Day. 
Companions urge you to go with them here, there and every- 
where, except where you can draw near to God. Insidiously, 


; 


=, f 


/ | 


SERMON OUTLINES CONCERNING VACATIONS 243 


coaxingly, that viper of Sunday Desecration whispers in your 


- ear, “Don’t be a Puritan.” 


III. How the viper of Irresponsibility shoots out its poison- 
ous fangs in the heated term! If every city Christian who 


visits the country during the summer would let his light shine 


instead of putting it under a bushel, what a change for good 
there would be among our farmer boys, instead of an awk- 
ward aping of city vices so laughable were it not so bad. You 
and I have no right to let it be a conundrum whether we are 


- Christians or not. We should take a rest from routine re- 





_NILEs. 





ligious duties; never from religion. 
IV. Another vicious viper is Indifference. Summer dis- 
comfort is peculiarly conducive to selfishness. Rudely we 


_ jostle each other for the best seat, most secluded nook, as we 
would never think of doing at other seasons. If some one 
else needs it more than I do why should I demand the best, 


although I am on a vacation? Gentleness to the awkward, 


the poor, the sick, the over-burdened, is a privilege in the sun- 
shine as well as in the snow-storm. To bear one another’s 
burdens is a law of Christ not abrogated by a rise in the 


mercury. 
And these vipers are dangerous to those who stay as well 


_as to those who go away. They glide into city homes and the 


seashore cottages. It is a truism that the Devil puts in his 
busiest time while the Church is most quiescent. There is no 


season when the soldier of the Cross is free to fraternize with 
any one of the forces of evil. When from the fire of these 


torrid days crawl out these evil serpents of Idleness, Incon- 


sistency, Irresponsibility and Indifference, take not Eve as 
your pattern. Listen not to their pleadings to yield—and fall! 


Rather with Paul the shipwrecked, strong in the power of 
God, shake the foul viper from your soul——ReEv. Epwarp 


THE VALUE OF AN EDDY IN THE STREAM 
OF LIFE 


“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest 


“awhile.” Mark 6: 30. 


Jesus proclaims the value of an eddy in the stream of life. 


t \g 
244. | CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 4 


I. There are times when the worker should forsake the 
crowds and take to the desert; when he should let-the world 
go; when he should forget that there are people tired and 
hungry and sick; when he should turn his back on the throngs’ 
of eager, interested, insistent, needy humanity, and sink him- 
self for a while, beyond the reach of publicity, in some serene 
solitude. 

IJ. There are occasions when what we need is not to bel 
prodded, to be told to be more energetic, more diligent and 
assiduous, to rise earlier and work longer and be instant in’ 
season and out of season; times when we do not greatly need 
a fresh dissertation on the charms and virtues of the strenuous’ 
life. God knows we have heard enough about ‘‘the strenuous. 
life.’ The trouble with the average life to-day is, it is a’ 
little too strenuous. Humanity swarms in ceaseless activities. | 

III. We need the solitude and quiet of the eddy for rest.’ 
One may be so absorbed in his work as to be oblivious of! 
physical exhaustion. Christ’s keen eye detected that his dis- 
ciples were weary and he said to them: “You must rest. Your 
work is important. Come apart and rest a while.” It was 
to be just for ‘‘a while.” It was not to be permanent. Rest} 
is not the regular program for life. Work is the regular 
program. But Christ knew the value of a pause in the music: 
of life. He would have these men rest long enough to give 
their worn bodies and weary brains a chance to recover; unde 






























campaign. | 

People sometimes need rest. We are made of the sort of 
stuff that gets tired. We are not made of iron and stone” 
and steel, but of flesh and blood, and these are no match 
for machinery in a long race. The failure to observe the 
need of rest is often accompanied by disastrous consequences. 

IV. ‘There are times when rest is as much a divine com-) 
mand as work; when it is as much one’s duty to quit as to ga 


are no tools and no audience; nothing but desert and solitude.” 


“Rest a while!” O thou blessed human Christ, who didst take 


Jacob’s well didst rest thyself and by that act didst consecrate 
all human rest; thou dost look with tender interest on those 


SERMON OUTLINES CONCERNING VACATIONS 245 


who are jaded and worn with toil and dost thrust in between 
‘them and exacting duties and say to the thronging crowds, 
“Stand back’’; to insolent industry and noisy machinery and 
roaring tumultuous trade, “Stand back! Give blood and brain 
and muscle a chance.’’—REv. JAMEs I. VANcE, D.D. 


PART XXXV: TEXTS AND THEMES 
ON THE SABBATH : 


Guarding the Sabbath: “Remember the Sabbath day to keen : 


it holy.’ Ex) 20%'8: 

The Lord’s Day: “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day.” 
Réviirwr0. 

The Sabbath a Day of Witnessing: Acts 17: 1-4. 

The Sabbath a Day for Doing Good: Luke 13: 16. 

The Lord’s Day the Best Day: Neh. 13: 15-22. 

The Sabbath a Day of Worship: Isa. 58: 13, 14. 

A Day of Holy Memories: John 20: 19-23. 

Jesus Kept the Sabbath: Luke 4: 16-24. 

A Day of Vision: Rev. 1: 9-13. 

Periodicity as a Law of Nature: ‘‘Remember the Sabbath | 
day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy 
work.) Hix) 20,28) 0; 


Cutting from the Loaf: “Render therefore unto Cesar the — 


things which are Cesar’s.” Matt. 22: 21. 
The Consecration of One Day in Seven: Jer. 17: 19-27. 


The Sabbath: 1. Day of rest. II. Day of liberty. Ah YE Day 


for necessary work. IV. Day for communion with Christ. 
V. Day for worship in God’s house. VI. Day for doing good, © 
‘Keep your Sundays for the great things of the soul.” 

The Sacred Sabbath: Matt. 12: 1-13. 


: 
q 
| 


j 


rl 


How Can We Enrich Our Sabbaths? Mark 2: 23-28. I. 3 


By churchgoing. II. By the Bible study. III. By kindly deeds. 
IV. By visitation. James 1:26,27. V. By restfulness. Ex. 
20: 8-11. VI. By service. Mark Ont s0t 


4 


Sabbath Worship: He went into their synagogue, ‘“‘as his 
custom was, ... on the Sabbath.” Luke 4:16. In the 


midst of the Assembly. Psa. 22:22. ‘The day that Jehovah’ 


hath made.” Psa. 118: 24. 
The True Principle of Sabbath Keeping: Matt. 12: 5-8. 


A Holy Keepsake: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it 


holy.”” Ex. 20:8. 
246 











TEXTS AND THEMES ON THE SABBATH 247 


Doing Good on the Sabbath: “Wherefore it is lawful to do 
_ well on the Sabbath day.” Matt. 12: 12. 

Promises to Those Who Gather in God’s House: Matt. 
15219, 20: 

Our Need of the Lord’s Day: Jer.17: 21-27. 1. For physi- 
cal rest. 2..For mental refreshment. 3. For spiritual uplift. 
4. For the far look. 

The Holy Man and the Holy Day: Rev. 1: 1-10. 

The Pearl of Days: Mark 16: 2. 

The Sabbath a Necessity: Mark 2:27. It meets our (1) 

Physical need; (2) Moral need; (3) Social need; (4) Intel- 
- lectual need; (5) Spiritual need. 


PART XXXVI: OUTLINES OF 
SERMONS ON THE 
SABBATH 


SUNDAY REST IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 


‘“‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
thou labor,” etc. Ex. 20: 8-11. , 
1. Physical, mental and moral relations of Sunday rest. 
Industrial relations of Sunday rest. 
Domestic and social relations of Sunday rest. 
Civic and national relations of Sunday rest. 
Religious relations of Sunday rest. 
Sunday rest in different countries. 
Sunday rest in twentieth century civilization. 


ee et 


“The Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2: 27. 
Sabbath benefits: 
1. To the body. 
2. To business, by resting the workers. Mention the | 

people who must work even now on Sundays. § 
3. To the working men. (How should we like to work 
on Sundays?) | 
4. Tothe mind. (Rest, worship.) a 
5. To the rich, because it forces them to think of better 


| 
| 
SABBATH BENEFITS a 
| 


things than dollars. 
6. To the nation. (Only Sabbath-keeping nations are 
really great. Why?) | 
7. LTothe home. (Sketch a home without a Sabbath.) 


OUR NEED OF THE LORD'S DAY 


Jeremiah 17: 21-27. 
Every Sabbath may be the Lord’s Day—if we observe some 
fundamental things. We ei a for: | 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON THE SABBATH 249 
I. Physical rest. Think of the heavy burden of labor, the 


daily grind. We need the one day in seven for the sake of 
our bodies. Our animals need it; aye, strange to say, ma- 


chinery lasts longer, does better work, when one day a week 
is given for freedom. Seven days’ work kills the body. 

II. Mental refreshment. Don’t read the common books 
of the week. Do not read anything that continues the same 
mental processes through the Sabbath. Don’t study your 


school day lessons; and, of course, don’t wrap yourself round 
with the big Sunday newspaper. Read that which gives the 


mind a change as well as a rest. 
II]. Spiritual uplift. The world has yet to come to a 


sensible appreciation of the worth of worship. Even the 
church people do not fully appreciate it. It is one of the 


greatest things in our life. We need the day, we need the 
worship, we need to realize the blessing from “‘communion 
with saints.” ‘There is no fellowship on this earth like the 
fellowship of people who come together to worship God. 
IV. The long look. This is perhaps the greatest of all. 


The world is swallowed up of the time-spirit. What is called 
the ‘‘zeitgeist’”’ is the dominant thing in all our working. We 


tire after a while of the mechanics of life, and often long for 
the ‘‘dynamics” of life. Sunday gives this to us. It is not 


the peculiar day, touched by a peculiar law, bound by a peculiar 


penalty. A thousand times no. That is so unworthy of my 


thought of our Father that I cannot mention it in the same 


breath with his name. But the great expanding vision, the 


‘subtle suggestion of the eternal, the emphasis on the great 


truth we are so apt to forget—tthat man’s life consisteth not 
in the abundance of things; and, flashing before my heart the 


thought of the Eternal, who is our Father—all this makes 


the Sabbath a delight to us.—Rev. W. H. ees Nae 
D.D. 


SANCTIFY THE SABBATH: HOW? 


Ex. 31: 12-14. 

To sanctify this day, we should consider it— 

1. A day of rest; not, indeed, to exclude works of mercy 
and charity, but a cessation from all labor and care. 


250 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


and redemption: 
3. As a day of meditation and prayer, in which we should: 
cultivate communion with God. Rey. 1: 10. 
4. Asa day of public worship. Acts 20:7; John 20: 19. | 
5. Asa day of joy. Isa. 56:2; Psa. 118: 24. | 


2. As a day of remembrance—of creation, — 


6. As a day. of praise... Psa. 116: 12-14. | 

7. Asa day of anticipation—looking forward to that holy, 
happy and eternal Sabbath that remains for the people 7 
God.—W. M. ANnpErRson, D.D. | 


THE SABBATH A NECESSITY 


“The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sab- | 
bath.” Mark 2: 27. 

I. The Sabbath is a physical necessity. 

II. The Sabbath is a social necessity. 

III. The Sabbath is a religious necessity. 


THE SABBATH A DELIGHT 


“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Ex. 20:8. 

Surely the Lord knew that we needed a Sabbath to develop 
the better parts of our natures. The Intellectual, the Moral 
and the Spiritual part of man must have some cultivation, if 
the man is to be fully developed in every part of his nature. 
Those parts of a man’s faculties which most resemble God 
are the noblest, and no man should neglect the cultivation of 
them. No man who takes just pride in himself will do so. 

For every noble man will want to be something more than 
a brute. Yet who neglects his better nature, cultivates only 
his brute part, and the grosser elements of his nature. The 
Sabbath was made. for man, because he needed it, for the 
good of both his physical and spiritual natures. He needs 
it to develop the best part of himself and to prepare to meet 
his God. Man is capable of a high order of delight. This 
the Sabbath generates. Thus the Sabbath contributes delight, 
not only because it affords rest from exhausting toil, but also 
because its proper observance develops the more noble parts 
of man’s nature. No nation, or family, or individual who 


ol 


we 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON THE SABBATH 251 


neglects the Sabbath will stand the peer of those who keep it 
sacredly. 
I. How should the Sabbath be kept? 

1. By abstinence. From sin. From business. From 
diversion. From journeying and unnecessary engage- 
ments, idle visiting, etc. 

2. By attendance on public worship of God. 

3. By cleaving afresh to the Lord. 

4. By prayer and meditation. 

5. By family associations. 

II. Why it should be kept. 

1. Because the cares of life tend to make us forget God. 

2. Because we are commanded by God to keep it. 

3. Because there are promises to those who do observe 
it.—S. 


MADE FOR MAN 


“The Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2: 27. 
_ 1. ‘The Sabbath is made for man.” It is an institution 
given of God. It is a boon and not a burden. 

2. The maintenance of the Sabbath is essential to the suc- 
cess of the gospel, and hence to the well-being of the race. 

3. There is just now in our country an amazing disregard 
and desecration of the Sabbath. 

4. The Christian church itself has very largely fallen into 
this sin of Sabbath desecration. | 
_ 5. The remedy for the evil lies primarily with the church. 
6. If the church cannot save the Sabbath, it can neither 
save itself nor the world—ReEv. JAMES BRAND, D.D. 





THE NEED FOR THE SABBATH 


“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Exodus 
20: 9. 
I. The physical need. 

II. The moral need. 

III. The social need. 

IV. The intellectual need. 
V. The spiritual need—H. 


252 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THE SABBATH A REMINDER 
Deut. 5: 12-15. 


The Sabbath is really a memorial occasion. It reminded 
the Jews of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage by the 
mighty arm of God, in recognition of which mercy he com- 
manded them to keep the Sabbath holy. 

I. For their own good they could not afford to forget that 
deliverance, including the fact that he made of them a great | 
nation, and that their first and highest allegiance was to he 
Deliverer. 

Il. Through that same deliverance and development of 
life, individual and national, he provided a Saviour for ie 
world of mankind, his own Sant through whom we have de- 
liverance from sin. : 

III. To keep us in grateful remembrance of these facts, 
let us observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 









CIVIL STEWARDSHIP 

“Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are 
Cesar’s.”’ Matt. 22:21. 

Our duty to civil government is set before us in a general 
way by these words of Jesus to the politicians of his day who 
sought to entrap him in his talk. Cesar represented the civil 
government of that time, and the things to be rendered unto 
him were the taxes imposed by the Roman emperor and repre- | 
sented by the tribute money. ! 

The Cesar of our day in the United States to which we 
as followers of Jesus Christ are expected to pay tribute, is. 
not an individual or an emperor, but in an important sense, 
ourselves. Being “a government of the people, for the people, 
by the people,” we are our own Cesar, and to ourselves we 
render tribute. Christ, therefore,.commands us to support 
this government in accordance with the laws we have made. } 
And something more is implied for we are not only Cesar to’ 
whom tribute is paid, but also Cesar who lays the tribute. 
For what then do we demand this tribute? How much of 
it goes into the pockets of those to whom it does not belong, 
just because of our indifference and neglect? How much of 

i 


Droste 





OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON THE SABBATH 253 


it supports our law courts, alms houses and jails just because 
of iniquitous legislation, affording license to sin? In other 
_ words, can we, as Cesar, give account of our stewardship with 
joy? 

What vital questions these are for consideration at this 
time. 


HOW WE SHOULD KEEP THE SABBATH 


‘“‘And he said unto them, the Sabbath was made for man.” 
Mark 2: 27. 

I. Why made for man? The body needs the holiday and 

the soul needs the holy day. ‘‘Keep the Sabbath holy,” be- 
_ cause man needs rest and the soul needs to be refreshed. 
II. If man needs the Sabbath how should he observe it? 
1. As a day of joy: (1) joy in the sense of Fespite the Psalm- 
ist says, ““Let us be glad and rejoice in it’; (2) because it 
reminds us of the resurrection; (3) joy in the privilege of 
. grace and fellowship. 2. The day should be kept as a day of 
spiritual absorption and refitting for representation: (1) by 
attendance upon divine worship—Christ went to church on 
the Sabbath; (2) by works of charity, Bible school work, 
teaching the word; (3) by meditation in the word and prayer; 
(4) by renewing the family altar fires and by rekindling the 
zeal of home religion about the family circle-—ReEy. C. A. 
_TERHUNE. 


SABBATH KEEPING IN CHRIST’S WAY 


“The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath Day.” Matt. 
12:8. 
» J. Christ did good to others on the Sabbath. A selfish 
_ Sunday is not a Christian Sabbath. 
- II. Christ ‘‘went to church” on the Sabbath. An hebitaally 
~churchless Sunday is not a Christian Sabbath. 
_ Ill. Christ read the Bible on the Sabbath. A Sunday on 
which we seldom read the Bible is a poor Christian Sabbath. 
IV. Christ kept the Sabbath by doing all he could that day 
_ to please God. Cana Christian do better—dare he do worse? 
V. Christ taught at the “church” on the Sabbath. A 


254 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


person unwilling, as he is able, to teach in the Sunday School — 
scarcely is keeping the Sabbath. ; 
VI. Christ was careful to set a good example on the Sab- 
bath—as every other day. Setting a good Christian example — 
on Sunday honors the Christian SabbathRev. P. P. Faris. © 


THE SPIRIT OF SABBATH-KEEPING 


“Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” Ex. 20:8. 

I. All our secular cares are to be laid aside on the Lord’s 
day. The Sabbath is a short voyage every week between 
two continents of toil. But “rest is not quitting the busy 
career; rest is the fitting of self to one’s sphere.” For right- 
thinking people, Sunday should be the busiest day of the week. © 
Our Lord’s Sabbaths were his busiest days. “They were spent 
alone in prayer, or in attendance at the synagogue; or in “go- © 
ing about doing good.” Not a few of his most wonderful — 
works of healing were wrought on that day. “My Father | 
worketh hitherto,” he said, ‘and I work.” There was no 
idle rest for him. 

IJ. This is a Christian land. At its birth it was christened 
San Salvador, ‘‘Land of the Saviour.” It was nurtured in 
prayer and has prospered under the special favor of God. — 
Whether we shall so continue remains to be seen. One thing, 
however, is sure; if we are recreant to our trust we shall, 
sooner or later, join the procession of empires that have 
risen, one by one, flourished and tottered to their fall. ‘The 
Sabbath is ‘‘a seal of the covenant’”’ between the Lord and his ~ 
people. ) 

Ill. And with that sign goes a promise that spans our © 
future like a rainbow: “If thou turn away thy foot from doing © 
thy pleasure on my Holy -Day; and call the Sabbath a delight, 
the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not 
doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure nor 
speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in 
the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places 
of the earth.”’—Rev. Davip James BurrELt, D.D. 


ine 


—G.. . 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON THE SABBATH 255 


HOW TO ENJOY SUNDAY 


I. ‘‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him 
forever.” If it were not for sin, all men would enjoy Sun- 
day. Sunday is made for the rest of man and the glorifying 
of God. It should be remembered. If men were holy, it 
would be enjoyed. Its themes are the most inspiring. Its 
duties are the most inspiring. Its privileges are the most 
enjoyable. 

I]. The word “Sabbath” means rest. It is made in the 
wisdom of God for the rest, elevation and education of man. 
The Sabbath law runs through nature. Man cannot displace 
it. He cannot substitute another day for it. It just fits man’s 
needs and nature. The rest which he may get on Sunday fits 
for the work which he is to do for the other six days. 

III. It fits man’s needs in home building. He has time 
to worship with his family. Parents have a good opportunity 
to teach their children to know about God and to do special 
work with them for their own improvement. The family has 
time for study and meditation which they would not have 
during the busy week days. 

- IV. Too frequently Sunday is made a holiday. The chil- 
dren gather the impression that the religious duties are burden- 
some and unpleasant. hey soon come to think that the only 
pleasures of Sunday are picnics, pleasure rides, picture shows, 
excursions, and such like. All of this is degrading to the Sab- 
bath day and ruinous to the character of the children. 

V. The Sabbath law was not temporal or local or optional; 
but it is a great, continual, binding law upon all men every- 
where. If ever our nation is the prey of revolutionists, it 
would be found to have entered through the rent of Sabbath 
desecration. Sunday should be the happiest day in the week. 
Sunday can be made the happiest day in the week. God in- 
tends us to enjoy Sunday.—W. M. Anpverson, D.D. 


PART XXXVII: LABOR DAY-TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


The Divine Toilers: ‘My Father worketh even until now, 
and I work.” John 5:17. 





| 
} 
; 


The Limitation of Ambition: “Seekest thou great things 


for thyself? Seek them not.” Jer. 45: 5. 


A Man’s Job: “Quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Cor. | 


162/131 


A Personal Providence: “I am poor and needy, yet the Lord © 


thinketh upon me.” Psa. 40:17. 


Triumphant Trudging: ‘“They shall walk, and not faint.” — 


Isa. 40: 31. 


Unnecessary Burdens: “It seemed good to lay upon you no 


greater burden than these necessary ones.’ Acts 15:28. 


A Choice of Masters: ‘Being made free from sin, ye be- © 


came servants of righteousness.”’ Rom. 6:18. 
The Sin of Indifference: “And by chance a certain priest 


was going down that way; and when he saw him, he passed 


by the other side.”’ Luke 10: 31. 
The Base Line: “Beginning from Jerusalem.” Luke 


240 47: 


The Christianizing of Commerce: “Her merchandise and © 


her hire shall be holiness to the Lord.” Isa. 23:18. 
A Life for a Life: “I came that they may have life . 
I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10: 10, 15. 


The Peril of Prosperity: ‘After they had rest, they did 


evil again before thee.”’ Neh. 9: 28. 


The Dog in the Manger: “Ye extend not in yourselves and 


them that were entering in ye hindered.” Luke 11: 52. 


4A Man and His Brother’s Burden: “And it came to pass | 


in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went 


out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens.” Ex. 
Set! 


Glorifying the Commonplace: “And the King shall answer 
256 





LABOR DAY TEXTS AND THEMES Th ang 
_and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did 
it unto one of the least of these, ye did it unto me.” Matt. 
25:40. 
_ The Tragedy of Success: ‘‘For what shall a man be profited, 
- if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?”’ Matt. 
M16: 26. 
God Requires Our Best: ‘But whatsoever hath a blemish, 
- that shall ye not offer; for it shall not be acceptable for you,” 

Stop NLey,122': 20-25. 

Christian Socialism: “Not looking Lath of you on his own _ 
things, but each of you also to the things of others.’ Phil. 
Bad ta. 
The Ministry of Helps: “And God hath set some in the 
Ghurch, urstiapostiesiieiiec then... i helps’. 1) Cortia a2 8: 
| Our Individual Ministry: “And Jesus went about all the 
' cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preach- 
_ ing the gospel of the kingdom, and healing oveny sickness and 
every disease among the people.” Matt. 

_ The Higher Selfishness: ‘Take heed to thyself. pgaraea as bi oe 
B43 16. 
_ The Plea of Impotence: ‘Sir, | have no man, when the 
. water is troubled, to put me into the pool.” John 5:7. 

The Vindicated Sacrifice: ‘“To what purpose is this waste?” 
Matt. 26:8. 

The Call is Power: ‘“‘And he said unto him, Stretch forth 
thy hand.” Luke 6:10. 

The Shame of Standing Aloof: “In the day that thou stood- 
est on the other side (aloof), in the day that strangers car- 
ried away his substance, and foreigners entered into his gates, 
and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.” 

Obadiah 1:11. 3 
The Christ of To-day: “Who is this?” Matt. 21: 10. 

Preparedness for Progress: ‘‘Let your loins be girded about, 
and your lamps burning.” Luke 12:35. 

Causes of Poverty: ‘The destruction of the poor is their 
poverty.” Prov. 15:10 | 

The Dignity of Service: “I am among you as he that 
serveth.” Luke 22: 27. 

The Industrial Conflict: “What hath a man for all his 
labors?” Eccl, 2:22. 


258 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The Church and the Workingman: “Is not this the carpen- 
ter’s son?” Matt. 13:55. 

Labor’s Great Champion: “I have called you friends.” 
John 15: 15. 

Resource and Responsibility : ‘How many loaves have ye?” 


Matt. 15: 34. 


ee 


Sweat and Bread: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat | 


bread.) Geni'g/2ir0: 
The Life of Working People: 1. Social. 2. Domestic. 3. 


Intemperance. 4. ‘‘Anti-poverty” societies. 5. Principles of © 


renet: Go. Phe ‘Chifteh and charity. 7. Historical charity. 
8. Modern charity. 


Historical Charity and Modern Charity: ‘“‘Now abideth — 


faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is 
charity.) Coro 132' 13) 


The Unbrotherly Question: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper ?” 3 


Gen. 4:9. 
Tears for the City: Luke 19: 41-46. 
The Way Downward: Prov. 1: 20-23. 


W ork Heartily Done: “Whatsoever thy Hand findest to do, — 


do it with thy might.” Eccl. 9: 10. 

Labor Day in Eden: “And the Lord took the man and put 
him in the Garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 
raps Le 

The Labor and Liquor Problems: ‘Our inheritance is turned 


to strangers, our house to aliens, we are orphans and father- 


less, our mothers are widows,” etc. Lam. 5: 2-5. 
A Servant Who Was Dear: Luke 7: 1-10. i 
Prodigals in the Slums: ‘““To each one his work.” Mark 
Tat 


13:34 


GHierpacs Through Service: “Whosoever will be chief 


among you, let him be your servant.” Matt. 20:27. 
Resource and ASAP MLE ose : “Flow many loaves have ye?” 
Matt. 15: 34. 
Immigration: 1. Character of. 2. Peril of. 3. Restriction 
of. 4. Distribution of. 5. Assimilation of. 6. Immigrant 
centers. 7. Protective societies. 8. Religious opportunity. 


:14. 
The Labor Principle: “To each one his work.” Mark — 


PART XXXVIIIT: OUTLINES OF 
LABOR DAY SERMONS 


THE MEETING-PLACE OF MANHOOD 


‘The rich and the poor meet together.” Prov. 22:2. 

The most difficult problem of modern labor questions is 
to find a meeting-place where labor and capital, manhood and 
money, can come together ‘‘on the level” and settle differences 
in the spirit of actual brotherhood. 

God’s word will furnish that meeting-place. ‘The rich 
and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them 
all.’ Our common humanity in the presence of our common 
God and Maker gives the meeting-place of manhood. 

I. The rich and the poor do meet on the level of common 
humanity. In our human nature we are all alike. Birth and 
motherhood are the same, be that mother queen or peasant. 
The primary necessities are the same. Rich and poor meet 
together in the necessity for food and drink. Hunger and 
thirst know no social distinctions. Pain, sorrow, suffering, 
make all mankind of kin. Emperor and beggar alike bow the 
head to the earth to creep into the grave, for death recog- 
nizes no exemptions. 

» II. The rich and the poor must meet together on the level 
of supreme soul interests. ‘They must meet at the foot of 
the Cross for salvation. ‘They must meet on exactly the same 
footing at the Judgment Seat of God. “For there is no dif- 
ference.” If saved, they must meet in heaven on perfect 
equality. If lost, they meet in hell, neither claiming the pre- 
eminence ! 

Ill. Therefore, the rich and the poor ought to meet on a 
perfect equality in the church of Jesus Christ if both be Chris- 
tians. ‘‘Who maketh thee to differ?” “One is your Master, 
even Christ.”’ 

The Duke of Wellington was kneeling at the altar rail to 


receive the sacrament when a laborer kneeled beside him. A 
259 


260 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


church official would have removed the intruder, as he con- © 


sidered the laboring man. But the great Duke said firmly: 
“No, we are all alike here!” 

IV. Surely, then, the rich and the poor, the laborer and 
the capitalist, meeting together on the level of common human 
necessities and experiences, meeting together on the level of 
common soul interests and destinies, meeting together as chil- 
dren of One Father in his house; these ought to be able to 
meet together as brothers in fraternal conference, around 
the council table, to settle all questions that pertain to their 
common interests in business. 

The Word of God will show the meeting-place for man- 
hood.—R. C. Hattock, D.D. 


THE BATTLE FOR BREAD 


‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.”’ Gen. 3: 19. 

Man must have bread. He has a material nature which 
can only be supported by the material. Man has to provide 
for himself his food, and raiment, and home. In doing this 
he experiences great difficulty. He has laws of society to 
observe, which regulate his conduct towards his fellows. He 
has also men of different dispositions to deal with. It is in 


facing and contending with these conditions that the struggle - 


for bread consists. 


I. The beginning of this struggle. God placed our first — 


parents in Eden as their home. He furnished it to please their 
taste and satisfy their appetite. But he set a limitation. He 
allowed them to eat of all the trees therein but one; and to 


the eating of this tree he attached penalty. In the difficulties | 


of procuring the needs of life outside the gates of Eden began 
that struggle for sustenance that has been going on ever since. 

Il. While the struggle for bread is a consequence of sin, 
God has ordered that it result in blessing. In man’s fallen 
condition it is good for him that he has to toil and battle 
against difficulties for his bread. No man can give careful 
attention to the subject without seeing that God has made 
labor a blessing to man. ‘The powers of his mind have been 
awakened and developed by it. Advancement in invention, 
discovery, arts and science, is attributable to it. 








OUTLINES OF LABOR DAY SERMONS 261 


: III. Though this struggle was occasioned by sin it is honor- 

_ able to be engaged in it. When man was expelled from Eden 
he was not pauperized. God did not hand out three meals a 
day. He told him to earn it; to wrest it from untoward con- 
ditions. Thus did he tend to develop in him a spirit of noble 
independence. 

God honors work. When he sent his Son into the world 
to save it, he did not send him to reside amid the affluence 
and ease of the rich man’s place; but he sent him to Joseph 
the carpenter’s home. Work is the fashion of heaven. 

IV. This struggle may be severer than was ever intended. 
With many it is deplorably severe. Why is this? There is 
more than one reason. 1. Competition in prices. 2. Avarice. 
The undue love of money is largely responsible for making 
_ the battle for bread as severe to large numbers as it is. 3. In- 
humanness. Man was made to love his fellowman. The 
cruelty perpetrated on toilers by some employers chills the 
very blood even to think of it. 4. Extravagant living of 
employers. 

Other reasons might be given, but let these sufiice. 

V. The religion of Jesus has done much for those engaged 
- in this struggle and will do more. 1. To it men are indebted 
for the higher views they have of the dignity of their own 
nature. 2. These higher views of themselves are appearing 
in their efforts to assert their rights and gain recognition of 
their manhood. 3. Religion is leading employers to recognize 
the rights of their employees. And this shall be increasingly 
the case as it controls the consciences of men. 4. It also 
comforts the heart of the toiler who possesses it. It makes 
his home, however humble it may be, a place of happiness; it 
_ helps him to bear up under life’s burdens.—D. 


GOD’S LAW OF LABOR 


“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread!” Gen. 
Rie; : 

At the very beginning of history, among the first established 
rules of human conduct we find a compendium of political 
economy and industrial science. “In the sweat of thy face 
shalt thou eat bread.” Whether this be precept or penalty, 


262 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


whether the narrative be literal or symbolic, its teachings are — 


the same, and well worth our notice. Observe: 


1. The universality of labor. In Adam, the Federal Head, — 
or representative of the human family, it is addressed to each © 
one of his posterity. Being personal to him, it is personal — 
to each of them. If an exception can be allowed in the case © 


of A, B can claim a similar exception. So also C and so on; 
and the law is nullified. Hence the command is universal. 
Compare Ex. 20:9. 


2. The necessity of labor. Without food life must cease. — 
Without labor there is no food. The command to labor being ~ 


universal, he who eats bread in the sweat of some other man’s 
face is a highway robber among men, and a traitor before 
God. 

3. The dignity of labor. Labor is, by virtue of its divine 
appointment, an act of worship rendered to God. We have 


made it an act of sacrifice to Mammon by engaging in it that — 


we may increase our wealth, or consume it upon our lusts. — 
Labor is degrading only, and always, when prompted by a | 


selfish motive. 

4. The reward of labor. “To eat bread” is to live. Thus 
the divine scale of wages is established once for all. Existence 
on God’s earth is the only and all sufficient reward of labor. 
Every man has a right to this, and no man has a right to any 
more. To this also agrees the teaching of natural religion. 
In the words of the Hebrew poet, Job 1: 21, ‘‘Naked came I 


and naked shall T-return.” Or. St. Pant i Pime 629) 3; a 


‘We brought nothing into the world, and we can carry noth- 
ing out.” ‘‘Having food and raiment,” the divinely appointed 
wage, ‘let us be therewith content.”’ 

5. The equality of labor. If all labor is alike honorable 
and alike rewarded, all distinctions are at once done away 
with. The king and the peasant, the general-in-chief and the 
high private, the philosopher and the coal miner, the merchant 
prince and the plowman, all stand side by side in the grand 
array of workers. This is the only true democracy. A com- 
plete recognition of this equality will go far toward introduc- 
ing an industrial millennium.—JOHN G. OsBoRN. 


OUTLINES OF LABOR DAY SERMONS 263 


WORK AS A MEANS OF GRACE 


‘And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them 
and wrought, for by occupation they were tent-makers.’”’ Acts 
18: 3. 

Among the Jews in early times, it was customary to teach 
all their children the full details of some useful calling. It is 
recorded as a saying of one of the wisest of the rabbis that 
“the who would not bring his son to a trade was as if he forced 
him to be a thief.” Christ’s disciples were workingmen. 
Christ himself was a carpenter. Here we see that Paul was 
a tent-maker. Work is honorable. It may also be very whole- 
some for us and usually is. 

I. Consider, first, some facts in regard to Paul’s conduct 
as a worker. 

1. Paul chose a decent and reputable calling. No one 
can doubt that tent-making was above reproach as a 
business. Some occupations in which men engage to- 
day are neither decent nor Ap GHAD Ee aad Meee e 
ing, etc. 

2. Paul sought consistent companionship in his business. 
Aquila and Priscilla were intelligent, high-minded and 
companionable to this man of God. Bad companion- 
ships, ill-mated partnerships, have wrecked many a 
business. 

3. Paul found opportunities to do good when hardest 
at work. Probably he was the means of the con- 
version of Aquila and Priscilla, and we know that 
they became so spiritually intelligent that afterwards 
he sent the young and eloquent Apollos to them to be 
“instructed more perfectly in these things,” before he 
was to start out to preach. 

II. Note, secondly, some advantages growing out of the 
fact of Paul’s laboring with his hands. 

1. It put him alongside the people and in Shae with 
them. 

2. This contact with the people enabled Paul to appre- 
ciate their needs and how to meet them. It is not 
always the fault of the poor that they do not get 
along better. They do not know how. They can be 


264 


CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


taught by those who will take the necessary steps to _ 


learn and appreciate their needs. 

Paul’s work in Corinth evidently brought cure for 
the despondency he was in when he came there. 
Work is wholesome for an individual. It is whole- 
some also for a Church. ‘There is nothing like exer- 
cise to keep people warm and well. | 


Paul’s work deepened his personal love for Christ.: : 


This was because he did his business for Christ and 
in his name. Business is a means of grace when the 
underlying motive for doing is love of Christ and a 
purpose to do his will in the spot where he has placed 
us. ‘‘Prayer and provender hinder no man’s jour- 
ney.’ —H. 





PART XXXIX: ARMISTICE DAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


Promises of Peace: Psa. 29: 113'Prov. 3:17; Isa. 26:3; 
Isa. 54:13. 
The Duty of Living in Peace: Mark 9: 50. 
Peace on Earth: Luke 2: 8-18. 
Peace Among Nations: Isa. 2: 4. 
The Reign of Peace: Rev. 21: 1-8. 
— Seek Peace and Pursue It: 1 Pet. 3: 8-18. 
-The Peace of God: Phil. 4: 1-17. 
Why Should All Nations be Peace Lovers? . 
Warring Elements in Society and the World To-day- 
Why is War Wrong? 
First Peaceable: James 3: 17. 
Ruled by Peace: Col. 3:15. 
' “Peace with Men: Rom. 12:9, 10. 
What is the Connection Between Prayer and Peace? 
Why is Christ Called the “Prince of Peace’’? 
Arbitration: How Does it Promote Peace? 
How to Get Peace: 1. Religion of Christ. 2. Spirit of 
Christ. 3. Love the great solvent. 
Warring Elements: 1. Men’s selfishness. 2. Nations’ jeal- 
ousies. 3. Contests between class and class, and capital and 
labor. 
W ar Forbidden: ‘“Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, 
nor fight against your brethren.”’ 2 Chron. 11: 4. 
War Averted: Joshua 22: 11-34. 7 
God Uses War as a Judgment: Leviticus 26: 17. 
War Repugnant to God: 1 Chron. 22:8. 
Evils of War: 2 Sam. 2: 26. 
War to Cease: Psalm 46: 9. 
The Higher Heroism: Micah 4: 3. 
_ The Meaning of Peace: 1. The Greek word appears to 
mean ‘“‘to bind,” implying severance and union. 2. The Eng- 
265 


266 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


lish word implies a pact, compact, an agreement. 3. The 
Hebrew word includes the ideas of friendliness, rest, security, 
completeness. Note the order of experience: union; agree- 
ment; friendship; rest; security; completeness. 

The Need of Peace: 1. Peace of conscience in pardon and 
acceptance, Isa. 48:22; Rom. 3:17; Psa. 120:6. 12. Peace 
of heart in rest and fellowship, Num. 6:26; 25:12; Psa. 
Mest efoaed eM 

The Provision of Peace: 1. ‘“‘Peace with God,” Rom. 5: 1 
Barriers removed.’ 2." The’ peace “of God, Philv ada: 
Burdens relieved. ‘These are distinguished in John 205 1021 
(see context) ; also in John 14:27, peace as a legacy and as 
a gift. 

The Source of Peace: 1. “Of God,” Phil. 4:7. Col. 3:15 
R.Ve) 22 Che God of peace; Rom...15': 333.16 220; s2Cor 
14:33; 2, Cor. 13/113; Phil) 4:9; ‘1 Thess, 's::'23 s Hebv 14-208 

The Medium of Peace: t. Christ’s person, Eph. 2:14; Isa. 
9:6; prince, 2°\Thess:\ 3: 165 (Heb. 752.0 2.0 Christ's cwork.s 
Eph."2:15; Colin: 20hGfalsarca 6.4) Chrisem) pena: 
ing, Eph) 2:17; Acts 10736: 4. Christ’s oitt,-fohnuias 270 

The Sphere of Peace: 1. In Christ, John 16:33. 2. In the 
Holy Spirit, Rom. 14: 17. 


PART XL: ARMISTICE DAY SERMON 
OUTLINES 


ARMISTICE DAY INSTITUTED 


In the great city of Paris, in front of the famous Hotel des 
Invalides, stands a big railroad car. Across its broad side 
are the words, ‘“The car in which the armistice was signed, 
November 11, 1918.” 

This car is the most historic railroad car in the world. 
For around that big table, by men seated in those strong 
chairs, was signed the significant document which ended the 
‘most terrific combat recorded in the history of mankind. 

The story of Armistice Day began when those mighty war 
leaders, grave and worn, and holding the happiness of human- 
ity in their hands, signed that memorable compact. The thrill 
of relief which went around the world has never died out. 
Throbs of joy and thankfulness fill every heart on the anni- 
versary of that great day. 

Armistice Day began spontaneously. Nobody waited for 
decree or proclamation. The news that the war was over 
flashed around the globe. And a new holiday was born. 

Armistice Day was born in joy and gladness. ‘There have 
been other days of thanksgiving and festivity at the ending of 
big wars, but never one like Armistice Day. For never before 
in human history has practically the whole world been in- 
volved in war. 

The first Armistice Day celebration set the pace for those 
which have followed. The second and the third were repeti- 
tions of the various features of festivity, with parades, pa- 
triotic exercises, and devotional services of prayer and praise. 

In its later development Armistice Day has risen into 
greater prominence. In 1921 the Belgian Parliament put 
November 11 into the place at first occupied by August 4 on 
their calendar, because that day, November 11, was “‘the day 


of liberation from the war and from the enemy.” 
267 





268 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The United States Congress the same year made Novem- 
ber 11 a national holiday for 1921. Urging its observance 
as a mark of respect for the unknown dead, President Harding 
in his proclamation referred feelingly-to the solemn services 
which were scheduled for that day. In Arlington Cemetery' 
the body of an unknown soldier was buried with every honor. 
This single unknown hero was the representative of the many 
interred in European cemeteries, whose identification-marks 
had been destroyed in the battles. That year many hundreds 
of those buried in Europe were brought back for burial in the 
home land. And Armistice Day took on even stronger re-. 
semblance to Memorial Day. : 

The movement to make Armistice Day a legal holiday in 
the United States has sprung up as spontaneously as the birth 
of the day itself. Legislators in the United States Congress | 
and in state legislatures have introduced bills to this effect. 
And the day has been recognized as one deserving of a per- 
manent place as a national holiday here as well as in Euro- 
pean lands. Governors now annually issue calls, and the two- 
minute prayer at noon has become nation-wide in the United 
States of America as in Great Britain, for there also the date 
is enshrined in the hearts of the people. 

The American Legion and the British, French, Italian, and 
Belgian veterans have naturally assumed the chief charge of 
Armistice Day. Schools and churches in various lands use it 
impressively in their efforts to combat the war spirit and to 
promote brotherhood and good will among all the people. 
The war mothers everywhere meet for mutual comfort and 
solace. Thoughtful men and women have united to perpetuate 
the lessons of the war, as witness the effective movements for 
the practice of economy and thrift, for arbitration, for the. 
study of war’s terrible results, for a wider use of good music, 
and for the enforcement of our prohibition laws. 





PART XLI: PRISON SUNDAY TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


_ Prison Reform: “I was in prison and ye came unto me.” 
“Matt. 25: 36. 
Grinding in the Prison-house: Judges 16: 21. 
The Sighing of the Prisoners: Psa. 79: 11. 
To Hear the Groaning of the Prisoner: Psa. 102: 20. 
Loosing the Prisoners: ‘“The Lord looseth the prisoners.” 
Psa. 146: 7. 
| Prisoners Visited by Friends: Matt. 11:2; Acts 24: 22. 
Prisoners Required to Labor: Judges 16: 21. 
Peter in Prison: Acts 12: 3-19. 
Joseph a Prisoner: Gen. 39: 20-23. 
Kindness to Prisoners: Jer. 38: 7-28. 
- Duty to Prisoners: “Remember them that are in bonds, as 
bound with them.” Heb. 13:8. 
- Blessing the Prisoners: ‘The prisoners heard them.’ Acts 
16:25. 
An Apostolic Prisoner: “In prisons more frequent.” 2 
Oris 2. 


269 


PART XLII: PRISON SUNDAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


THE SIGHING OF THE PRISONER 


“Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee.” Psa. 
Le 
Tike sighing of the prisoner is heard to-day. He has good 
reason to sigh: | 
I. Because he has brought himself within prison walls. 
II. Because he has awakened to the forfeit he pays. 
_ III. Because his friends are few. 
IV. Because he feels his need of God. A deep sigh reaches 
high.— Rev. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


OUR DUTY TOWARD PRISONERS 


‘“‘T was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Matt. 25: 36. 

In describing the judgment scene in the last day Jesus gives 
a graphic picture of the separation of the evil from the good, 
the sheep from the goats. One of the reasons assigned for 
the separation was: “I was in prison, and ye came unto me’; 
and “I was ... sick and in prison, and ye visited me not.” 
When those who were assigned to his left hand asked in sur- 
prise, ‘“‘Lord, when saw we thee . . . sick and in prison and 
did not minister unto thee?” Jesus said, “Inasmuch as ye 
did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” 
If Christian people to-day should be judged by this test which 
Jesus mentioned, would we be wholly guiltless in the sight of 
our Lord? There is a duty which pastors and Christian people 
owe to those who are imprisoned in our penal institutions. In 
many cities and towns Christian people have joined together’ 
for the holding of religious services in prisons, and many a) 


criminal has thus been turned toward a better life.—C. 
270 


CHRISTIANITY AND THE PRISONER 


“To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of 
the prison to them that are bound.” Isa. 61:1. 

_ There is more or less general sentiment sweeping the coun- 
try at present embodying a larger justice and a more humane 
point of view toward the prisoner. It is as though we had 
heard afresh the word of the psalmist: “Let the sighing of 
the prisoner come before thee!” 

Perhaps we have not stopped to consider how truly Chris- 
tian is this attitude, or how it falls in line with the mission 
of Jesus to this earth, as that mission is outlined in the great 
words of our text. 

Recently I spent an afternoon in a great factory where there 
are five hundred ex-convicts working side by side with other 
employees; but it has been so planned that no one knows who 
these ex-convicts are; no one points them out and keeps them 
conscious of their shame. As a result they are becoming trust- 
worthy, efficient, and the makers of good homes. 

One man was pointed out as a successful and able work- 
‘man, who had been in prison for years before he came to his 
present employment. The police, he said, had followed him 
and watched him so that it was impossible to get or to keep 
a job. “My wife is the only person who has ever been decent 
to me,” he explained. The department manager told the man 
to come around to the factory and he would give him work. 
After a few weeks he wrote the man a letter, saying he had 
noticed his good work and sent him a little book. The next 
day the man appeared at the manager’s office, and he could 
hardly speak. ‘You know,” he said, “‘you are the only gentle- 
man who ever spoke to me that way. No one ever sent me a 
book before. When I took it home last night, Mary and I 
couldn’t eat any supper. I’m going to stick and make good.” 
And he did. Was this not preaching good tidings ?—C. S. C. 


PRISON SUNDAY SERMON OUTLINES 271 
| 


A MORAL EARTHQUAKE 


Acts 16: 25-34. 
A prison is not a very likely place in which to establish a 
Baotces It is often a place of hard hearts; hearts calloused 


272 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


even in prisons. God can find a way to speak to every soul of 
man; and the way he found in Philippi was the earthquake 
method. People are usually ready to listen to God when an 
earthquake takes place in their lives—Rev. R. P. ANDERSON. 


- 


A SAINT IN PRISON 


Acts 12: I-10. 

When a saint is sent to prison he carries the gospel with him. | 
It is impossible for prison walls to confine an idea, or for 
tyrants to kill it. The saint finds work to do for God within 
prison cells. Angels come to him. Opportunities for testi-. 
mony come to him. Bunyan in prison spoke to the world, to’ 
the ages. In doing work in prison we may be speaking from 
a platform that will reach wide circles. 








PART XLIII: GOOD CITIZENSHIP DAY 
| TEXTS AND THEMES 


-) Is America Christian? ‘And lo, the beam is in thine own 
eye.’ Matt. 7:4 
Citizenship that is Christian: 1sa. 62: 1-17. 

Putting Religion into Politics: Isa. 1: 1-17. 

To Cleanse the Nation: Isa. 1: 10-17. 

The Ballot-Scourge: John 2: 13-22. 

On the Lord’s Side: Ex. 32: 19-22. 

Diseases of the Body Politic: I. Social. U1. Moral. III. 
Industrial. LV. Political. 
National Recognition of God: “And when we cried unto the 
Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heard our voices.’ Deut. 
26-2'7. | 
 Poultices that Do Not Heal: “For they have healed the 
hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, 
Peace: when there is no peace.” Jer. 8:11. 

The Patriotism of Our Ancestors: ‘“Turn thou us unto thee, 
O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.” 
mam) 21. 
_ The Lord Speaking Peace: “1 will hear what the Lord will 
speak; for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his 
saints; but let them not turn again unto folly.” Psa. 85: 8. 
Be Civic Pride: Acts 21: 37-39. 

B Cleansing a City: Matt. 4: 1-6. 

Passion for Civic Purity: Jer. 33: 1-9. 
_ Love of the People: Rom. 11: 13-36. 

High-Minded Officials: 2 Sam. 23: 1-7. 

Cleaning Up Wrongs: Mark 11: 15-19. 
_ The Coming City: Rev. 21: 10-27. 

4 City Redeemed: Isa. 52: 1-15. 
A Prophet in Politics: Amos. 6: 1-11. 

God the Supreme Ruler: 1 Sam. 16: 6-12. 


Righteousness Paramount: Prov. 14: 28-34. 
273 


274 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


True National Greatness: 1 Kings 10: 1-9. 
Prosperity and Religion: 2 Chron. 34: 1-8. 

A Staunch Patriot: Neh. 2: 1-8. 

A Christian at the Ballot Box: Psa. 28: 1-9. 
The Sort of Citizens Our Country Needs. 
Patriotism Falsely So-Called. 

Why a Christian is the Most Efficient Patriot. 
Individual Efficiency as Citizens: Phil. 4: 8. 
Consecration to Country: Acts 13: 36. 

Our National Sins: Neh. 1: 6. 

The Source of National Prosperity: Psa. 147: 12-14, 20. 


Ss ee 


_ >. z 
ee ee ee ee ee ee 





e 


PART XLIV: GOOD CITIZENSHIP DAY 
SERMON OUTLINES 


PUTTING RELIGION INTO POLITICS 


Isa. 1: 10-17. 

I. The prophets were good citizens. They had much to 
say about politics. They knew that the welfare of the Church 
was wrapped up in the welfare of the government. We live 
in a better day, having more light on the questions of life 
and duty. It may be that the evils of life to-day are as bad 
as they were in olden time; but it is doubtless true that there 
is more emphasis laid upon good and duty than in former 
times. 

II. But we know that the forms of religion are worthless 
without the spirit, both then and now. One reason that these 

‘are better than former times is that the people now are be- 
ginning to see their obligation to the state and to society. The 
call of to-day for righteousness is the same, but it is a louder 
call than formerly. ‘The call of Isaiah is the call for the 
present time: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil 
of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn 
to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the 
fatherless, plead for the widow.”’ 

III. It will be well if all the social and civic duties taught 
by the prophets shall be studied again by modern teachers. 
If there was need for righteousness then, there is, if possible, 
greater need for it now. The Church will never fill its high- 
est mission until its influence shall permeate society, and in- 
fluence politics. : 

IV. The aim and purpose of democracy has been defined 
as ‘“The diffusion of happiness, through the development of 

character, by a process of gradual growth, the secret of which 
is the indwelling of God in humanity, the end of which is the 


brotherhood of man.” 
275 


276 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 






V. There are only two kinds of government in the world: 
One where the individual is the subject; and the other where ™ 
the individual is the citizen. ‘This second kind of government” 
is increasing, and the first kind is losing. ‘The citizen idea * 
shall be victorious, and the subject shall fail—Rev. W. H.| 
ANDERSON, D.D. 4 


THE CHRISTIAN AND HIS BALLOT 


Luke 19:/41-48.°) , : 

Once during Christ’s ministry, the Herodians RR Eo | 
him and asked him, saying: ‘Teacher, what thinkest thou? Is _ 
it lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not?” Back of that | 
apparently simple and reasonable question was a malignant de- 
sign: they desired to ensnare him in his talk. Jesus saw their © 
wicked purpose, yet he never flinched in the face of it. 
‘Render unto Cesar the things that are Cesar’s, and unto © 
God the things that are God’s,” was his candid reply. This © 
answer is the wisest ever given to a perplexing question, and © 
contains the true theory of Church and State in a nutshell. — 
Both are of divine origin and authority. The Church is con- | 
cerned with the eternal welfare of men; the State with their — 
temporal relations. 7 

The November election is at hand. Every man and woman | 


ought to vote. 4 
I. Wherever the right to vote is given, it ought to be © 
exercised. To fail to do so is almost a crime. 
II. The next and most important thing to do is to vote 


right. The duty and privilege of every elector is to vote — 
for good men and measures, so that the welfare of the com- | 
munity and nation, the public and private weal of each indi- © 
vidual citizen, may be promoted. 

Ill. The privilege of the franchise includes a grave re- : 
sponsibility. Public policies and private interests are shaped © 
and fostered by its influence. The ballot is the maker of men © 
and nations. It should be used at every election, especially j 
when great moral and economic issues are pending, but not — 
without care and prayer, that the right may have the benefit i 
of its power.—R. T. { 





GOOD CITIZENSHIP DAY SERMON OUTLINES 277 


CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP 


A Christian man is Christian in every place and moment 


_and department of his life. He is just as much a Christian 
man when he is asleep and unconscious as when he is awake 


and active; just as a profane and infidel man is infidel and 


_ profane and wicked even in the silent watches of the night. 


The Christian man is Christian when he eats and when he 
drinks and in whatsoever he does, for he lives unto the Lord, 
and whatever he does he seeks to do it just as God would 
have him to do it, and so for the honor and glory of God. 

It follows, as the night the day, that such a man will dis- 
charge his public duties as a citizen conscientiously, and in 
love and fear and loyalty to his country as God would have 
him do. He will be concerned with the well-being of the land 
in which he lives, and will pray and work for its true advance- 


ment. 


I. One conception of good citizenship is that of living a 
blameless life, in integrity and obedience to the laws. Of 


course, one is not a good citizen if he is a law breaker and 
criminal; if he is dishonest and a disturber of the peace. 


II. But one may go much further than this in the promo- 
tion of his country’s welfare. He may seek to have evil things 


rooted out of society and the life of the community. He may 
seek for true reforms. He may work for better conditions in 


the life and work of the people. He may make himself felt 
as a moral and uplifting force. 

Ili. But one may go still further than this, in trying to 
make the people better. “The work of enlightening and edu- 
cating the people is a very important department of good 
citizenship. ‘The promotion of public schools and of other 


_ educational influences and institutions is greatly desirable in 
the general uplift of the entire community. 


IV. There is a higher manifestation for our citizenship 
than even seeking for education and intellectual enlighten- 
ment and information. ‘This is in the promotion of true re- 


ligion. In religion is the true safety, uplift and well-being of 


a people or nation, as well as of an individual. He who would 
befriend and save his nation must see that the influences of 
true religion are diffused among the people. 


27s CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


It was said by George Washington that the man who : 


ignored morality and religion could lay no claim to being a 
true patriot. 


CHRISTIAN DEMOCRACY 


“One is your Teacher, and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 
pA Ba 
When America went to war the habits of thousands of 


people were revolutionized. Girls who had spent most of — 


their time in social frivolities suddenly found themselves doing 
Red Cross work, going to the front as nurses, serving in heroic 
ways for the relief of distress at home and “over there.” 

One of these transformations occurred in a young woman 


who had been a butterfly of fashion, living in a town near one — 


of the great military camps. With other girls of her set she 
ministered to the social needs of the soldier boys, inviting 
them to her home for Sunday dinner, entertaining them at the 
Rota Club, and entertaining them as social equals. Many of 
these boys were college-bred and were handsome and attrac- 
tive in their uniforms. 

After the armistice was signed, a wave of reaction swept 
over many hearts and the tension of suspense was followed by 
a return to old selfish habits. Many of the boys in the camp 


came into the town, after their discharge from military service, — 


seeking work. 

One young woman who had nobly served others during her 
brief apprenticeship in unselfishness one day came out of the 
kitchen where she had gone to give an order to a servant, and 





ee 


ie 
ties 


He nen Salve Rae i 





said to her mother, ‘‘What do you think, mother! I found — 


Lieutenant B— delivering our groceries! He said he had 
worked his way through college before he enlisted for the 
officers’ training camp, and he took the first job he could find! 
I invited him to come to dinner next Sunday.” 

‘You must not do that!’ the mother said sharply. “Go 
back and excuse yourself from such an invitation. He is not 
in our set.” 

“But we had him here several times, mother! He is in 
every way worthy.” 

“It is not the same, 


9 


said the mother. 


GOOD CITIZENSHIP DAY SERMON OUTLINES 279 


“You mean, mother, that the overalls are not as good as 
the uniform?” 

Alas for our boasted American democracy! ‘The boy in 
overalls did not dine next Sunday with the American family. 
Of what use is all this talk about making the world safe for 
democracy if we have none of it ourselves! “For all ye are 
brethren,” said the Master—ReEv. CHARLES M. SHEL- 
DON, D.D. 


CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES IN POLITICS 


Luke 22: 24-27. 

I. The day of the “ring” and the “machine” is gone. Now 
a candidate for office not only must outline his platform be- 
fore election but must ‘‘make good” after election. The real 
‘“political power’’ of our land is not the party elected to office 
but those who do the electing. There is no more powerful 
instrument in the hands of the people than the ballot. Your 
vote is more than a “‘scrap of paper’; it can spell anything 
-you wish. Use it intelligently and you build a Christian na- 
tion. Abuse it ignorantly, and you help ruin your country. 

II. Study current events. Be conversant with politics. 
Determine to know the record of the men who are seeking 
office. Insist that they represent your best interests; it is your 
right and privilege as a citizen so to do. Vote as you pray 
in order to make righteousness supreme. Begin in your town. 

III: One of the great evils of to-day is neutrality. Not to 
take a stand, not to put yourself on record concerning the 
burning issues of the day is treason. No voice or life spent 
in good is in vain. Inertia is worse to battle against than 
open opposition. The number of people who will do right 
at all costs and wrong at all costs is not the majority of the 
population of the country. Christ’s party and the devil’s party 
are both comparatively small, but in the nature of things, 
negative forces gain and positive forces lose by mere neu- 
trality. “The man who wants something wants everybody to 
say “‘yes’”’ to his demand, but his opponent does not say “‘yes.”’ 
To refuse to say “yes” for practical purposes amounts to 
saying ‘‘no.” 


280 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


THE BEST GOVERNMENT 


sie FY as abe Bg : 

The. Apostle Paul refers to the best government when in 
1 Tim. 2:2 he pleads for a government where it will be pos-” 
sible for the people to “lead a tranquil and quiet life in all” 
godliness and gravity.” 

I. The best government is the one that has the least neces-” 
sity for law, where the people are intelligent, and know how | 
to govern themselves, where they are righteous and control © 
their actions, where they are just in their treatment of their 7 
fellowmen. 












Pte . = 
= ome Ge 


ciple for the regulation of social and political life when he | 
said, ‘‘We must make it as easy as possible to do right, and 7 
as hard as possible to do wrong.’’ When moral conditions are | 
not what they should be in a community the people find it” 
dificult to do right and easy to do wrong. ; 

II. We should be influenced in our voting by the character © 
of the men who are to be chosen for office and the principles © 
for which they stand rather than any mere partisanship. Poli- © 
tics has gotten to be a business, the ring and the machine rule. — 
Men are asked.to what party they belong instead of being © 
asked for what principles they stand. As in late years many 
college presidents have been chosen because of their ability to 
raise money for the institution, so, to-day, many political — 
leaders are chosen because they can be made the tools of their © 
party leaders. If they “break away” from their party leaders — 
they have a hard road to travel. | 

Democracy is one of the great words to-day. Nations are 
banishing autocrats and making experiments in government of © 
the people, by the people, for the people. | 

III. ‘The needs of the people for peace, justice, righteous- 
ness can only be met as the principles of democracy prevail. — 
But the principles of democracy must be permeated with the — 
spirit of Jesus Christ if they are to furnish a basis for happi- — 
ness and progress. | 

The early Christian Church was the first real democracy. — 
Jesus laid down the only principles that will establish right © 


GOOD CITIZENSHIP DAY SERMON OUTLINES) 281 


human relations and make them permanent. The Christian 
Church should reveal to the world the fruits of democracy, 
and it should be the great force for the promotion of democ- 
racy in the world.—Rev. A. DuURYEA. 


PART XLV: ELECTION DAY TEXTS 
AND THEMES 


God the Supreme Ruler: 1 Sam. 16: 6-12. 

Righteousness Paramount: Prov. 14: 28-34. 

True National Greatness: 1 Kings 10: 1-9. 

Prosperity and Religion: 2 Chron. 34: 1-8. 

A Christian at the Ballot Box: Psa. 28: 1-9. 

The Sort of Citizens our Country Needs. 

Patriotism Falsely So-Called. 

Why a Christian is the Most Efficient Patriot. 

Individual Efficiency as Citizens: Phil. 4: 8. 

Consecration to Country: Acts 13: 36. 

Our National Sins: Neh. 1: 6. 

The Source of National Prosperity: Psa. 14.7: 12-14, 20. 

Our Civic Conditions: Isa, 62: 1. 

Compromise: Psa. 28: 3. 

How May One Help to Remedy the Evils in Our Land? 
Neh. 2: 17-18. — ) 

In What Spirit Should the Christian Perform His Civic 
Dates?) 2*lini. 815i 

W hat is the True Glory of a Nation? Psa. 33: 12. 

The Reproach on a Citizen Who Fails to Do His Duty: 
Judges 5: 17-23. 

The Christian’s Vote: Prov. 19: 2, 4, 8. 

Value Your Citizenship: Esther 4: 13, 14. 

The Source of National Prosperity: Psa. 147: 12-14, 20. 

Our Civic Conditions: Isa. 62:1. 


282 


PART XLVI: ELECTION DAY SERMON 
OUTLINES 


THE DIVINE ELECTION 


“Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election.” 1 
Lhess. 1: 4. 

November 7 will be a most important day to the American 
people. The choosing of a President of the United States is 
always significant; but many believe that the choice made on 
that day will be of unusual significance to the republic and 
to the world. Is it not an auspicious hour to consider what 
we may call the divine election, or, the higher politics? Our 
subject, therefore, embraces three steps. 

I. First, the Candidacy. Upon what is it based? What 
are the issues? In the campaign drawing to a close there has 
Ayeen a free discussion of vital, living issues. Yet they are 
‘not one whit more essential than the issues involved in the 
divine election. What are these? What are all of us candi- 
dates for, whether we will or not? What are the issues of 
human life which refuse to be ignored? Just these: Righteous- 
ness, peace, joy, hope, eternal life. These are some of the 
age-long issues upon which the candidacy of each life is based. 
Every soul has been divinely nominated for office in these finer 
regions. 

II. Second, the Voters. Now every candidate must sub- 
mit his cause to the voters. Nor is it otherwise in Paul’s 
divine election. Who, then, are the voters? They are two, 
and the first—let it be said reverently but emphatically—is 
God. Every candidate for office in the higher realms should 
remember this: the good God had already voted for you. 
God is so profoundly interested in your soul’s election to the 
office of noble living here and to boundless felicity hereafter, 
that he hath sent his only begotten Son to declare this truth 
throughout the length and breadth of the world. The other 


voter in the divine election is you yourself without embarrass- 
283 


| 4 
284 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


ment, but with deep satisfaction. Moreover, you must vote | 
for yourself, and with decision. No man can be coerced into | 
goodness any more than he can be forced into heaven. God 
and the universe seem to have great respect for the rights of © 
suffrage in these august things. 
il. Third, the Inauguration. In the largest sense, the | 
choice of the voters on November 7 will not have been fully | 
realized until he is inaugurated on the 5th of March. A | 
similar principle holds in the divine election also. Although | 
your candidacy be based upon the highest truths, and although | 
God votes for you and you vote for yourself, such is the | 
majesty of the high office to which you are chosen that you 7 
will not exhaust its honors and meaning in this world. You | 
will have to be inducted into the happier climes of immortality | 
before the entire significance of your election is fully appre- | 
ciated. | 

Should not one be careful to vote right for destiny? —F. E. | 
SHANNON. ; 





PART XLVII: THANKSGIVING DAY 
TEXTS AND THEMES 


- King David's Thanksgiving Proclamation: “O give thanks 
unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. 
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts 
with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless his holy name. 
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion; for 
he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates, he hath blessed 
thy children within thee; he maketh peace in thy borders; he 
filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. Let the people praise 
thee, O Lord; let all the people praise thee.’’ Psalms. 
The Unreaped Corner: ‘‘And when ye reap the harvest of 
your land, thou shalt’not wholly reap the corners of thy field, 
neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of the harvest.”’ Lev. 
79:9. 
’ The Crowning of the Year: ‘“Thou crownest the year with: 
thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.’”’ Psa. 65:11. 
- Soul-Husbandry: “And when he saw a fig-tree in the way 
he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves,” etc. 
Matt. 21: 19. 
God’s Call-to Joy: Luke 10: 21. 
Thankful for What? Psa. 33: 1-22. For his word: Psa. 
I19:105-112. For his work: Jer. 10: 12,13. For his lov- 
ing kindness. Psa. 119:57-64. For his watchfulness: Job 
36: 1-7. For his deliverance: Acts 12: 6-11. 
The Beauty and Utility of Gratitude: Psa. 111: I-10. 
God’s Wonderful Works: Psa. 40: 1-11. 
How Does God Want to be Thanked? Psa. 100: 1-5. 
Praise is Comely: Psa. 33: 1. | 
Why We Give Thanks: “Our fathers trusted in thee.” 
oPsa. 22: 4. 
The Praising Habit: ‘“‘Oh, that men would praise the Lord.” 
Psa. 107: 8. 


Thanksgiving Proclamation: Psa. 100. 
285 


x< 


286 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


A Thanksgiver: Luke 17: 11-19. 

A Backward Glance: Isa. 63: 7-9. 

Eternal Thanksgiving: Rev. 7: 9-17. 

Daily Thanksgiving: Phil. 4: 6. a 

Expressing Our Gratitude: ‘“‘Let the redeemed of the Lord ~ 
say so.” Psa. 107: 2. 4 

The Blessing of a Thankful Heart: Neh. 8:10. ‘‘The joy 
of the Lord is your strength.” “The joy of the Lord” is joy — 
in the Lord, rejoicing in the goodness and wisdom and power 
and beauty of our God. No life is strong without this, and 
every life that has it is a mighty life. j 

Tidings for the King’s Household: 2 Kings 7: 9- ; 

The Brimming Cup: “My cup runneth over.” Psa. 23:5. | 

Thankfulness and Courage: ‘‘When Paul saw, he thanked © 
God and took courage.”’ Acts 28:15. 

Songs of the Heart: Psa. 103: 1-22. 

Thanksgiving that Never Ceases: Psa. 146: 1-10. 

The Loaded Table: ‘‘Come and dine.” John 21212. 

Reasons for Thanksgiving: ‘The earth is the Lord’s.” 
Psa. eae. 

Causes of Thanksgiving: Joel 2: 21-27. 

God’s Open Hand: ‘“Thou openest thine hand.” Psa. 
145: 16. | 

The Thanksgiving Beare “Go your way; eat the fat.” 
Neh: 8 <i 0. 

q 





Ie 


God’s Overflowing Goodness: ‘““Thou art good.” Psa. 
119: 68. : 

Forgetting to be Thankful: “When thou shalt have eaten 
and be full; then beware lest thou forget God.” Deut. 


us with his benefits.” Psa. 68: 19. 

A Cheerful Temper: ‘He that is of a merry heart hath a 
continual feast.” Prov. 15:15. 

Happy Me Gd AERA ‘Give me neither poverty nor riches.” 
Proy. 30: 7-9. 

In Everything Cus Thanks: 1 Thess. 5: 18. 

Thanksgiving for Mercies: Psa. 107: I. 

The Joy of Harvest: ‘They joy before thee ibe to” 
the joy in harvest.” Isa. 9:3. 


Jon © yy tl | 
Daily Marvels: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth 


t 


THANKSGIVING DAY TEXTS AND THEMES 287 


The Full Table of the Year: ‘Oh, that men would praise 
the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the 
children of men.” Psa. 107: 8. 

The Eternal Praise Service: Rev. 5 : 8-14. 

The National Doxology: “Oh, praise the Lord all ye na- 
Rrons.” i Psae rags r, 2: 

Thanksgiving of the Past: ‘Our fathers trusted in thee.” 
Psa. 22 24. 

Thanksgiving Joy: ‘‘This day is holy unto the Lord your 
God,” etc. Neh. 8:9, Io. 

The Giver and the Gifts: Jas. 1: 17. 

The Benefits to a Nation of Giving Thanks: Psa. 50: 14. 

Thankfulness as a Habit: “I will bless the Lord at all times, 
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psa. 14:1. 

Universal Thanksgiving: ‘‘Let everything that hath breath 
praise the Lord.” Psa. 150: 6. 

The Sin of Thoughtlessness: “And when he thought 
thereon, he wept.” Mark 14:72. Thoughtlessness is a sin 
and thanklessness is a sin. 

The Supreme Claims of God: ‘‘And the best of the oil and 
all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the first fruits of 
them they shall offer unto the Lord.” Num. 18: 12. 


PART XLVIU: THANKSGIVING DAY 
SERMON. OUTLINES 


GRATITUDE FOR GOD’S REMEMBRANCE 


‘How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God.” 
Psa.i139s FY) 


The sense of loneliness is always saddening. In such an | 
hour how consoling to feel that we are remembered by at least © 


one human being. How much more consoling to know that 


we are thought of with loving interest by a goodly number of | 


friends! Yet what are either of these assurances to the 
supreme consciousness that God remembers us, and that we 
share in all his benevolent plans! 

1. His thoughts of us are loving thoughts. He is our 
Father, and lovingly thoughtful of all his dear children. 

2. His thoughts of us are constant. He never forgets. 
In all places, times, circumstances, he thinks of us. ? 

3. His thoughts of us are personal thoughts. He does not 
think of us as indefinite parts of some multitude. ‘The Lord 
thinketh upon thee.”’ 


4. His thoughts of us are wise thoughts. His plans for | 


us are the best possible plans. 

5. His thoughts of us are thoughts of helpfulness. We 
may think of a person without any disposition or desire to 
help him. But God has disposition to help, ability to id 
and thinks of us on purpose to help. 


THANKSGIVING DAY 


Neh. 8:9, ro. 

This records an early Thanksgiving day which began with 
solemnity and which ended in joy. 

I. Profound meditation precedes true thankfulness. It 
must reach down to the “‘law of God” (v. 8) in order to rise 


to the heights of joy. 
288 





THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON OUTLINES 289 


II. Thanksgiving need not be postponed until all is perfect 
or prosperous; but it must discern the divine plan. ‘You have 
- as much material prosperity as is good for you.”—-AMBASSA- 
DOR BRYCE. 

III. Highest joy is the joy of sharing our blessings; 
through the Church—the channel of helpfulness to all the 
world. 


THANKSGIVING | 


‘‘Abounding in thanksgiving.” Col. 2:7. 
I. Thanksgiving as a duty. See text and Col. 3: 15 to end. 
II. Thanksgiving as a privilege. Illustration, returning 
thanks for a gift from a friend. One wants to do it. 
III. Thanksgiving should be continuous. Not simply one 
day in a year, but each day should be a thanksgiving day. 
_ IV. Thanksgiving should have a prominent part in the life, 
especially of the Christian—‘‘Abounding in thanksgiving.” 
V. In thanksgiving we should always recognize the su- 
_preme importance of spiritual gifts——E. H. Knicut, D.D. 


SPECIAL REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING 


b) 


“Give thanks unto him.’ Psa. 100: 4. 

I. That the harvests of the year are so bountiful. Note 
the facts as to the crops of corn, wheat, cotton, hay, etc., 
for the year. Then consider the relation of these harvests to 
the business-of the whole country. 

Il. That we are American citizens. Contrast our con- 
dition with that of the inhabitants of any other land. 

Ill. That there is in progress a rising tide of interest in 
_ civic righteousness. Gather facts in proof of this statement. 
IV. That in our religious life we have the privilege of 

service. Estimate the influence of the ‘‘Men and Religion” 
movement in this direction —E. H. Knicut, D.D. 


JOYFUL THANKSGIVING 


Isa. 42: 1-13; Psalm 146. 
These verses of prophet and psalmist are filled with won- 


290 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


derful promises and many reasons for thanksgiving on the 
part of the ancient Jews. Our reasons for thanksgiving, per- 
sonal and national, are as many. Without following closely 
the verses let us in their spirit think of some of our own 
reasons for joyful thanksgiving. | 

I. Thank God for life... Carlyle has somewhere said: 
‘Every man should put himself at zero, and then reckon every 
degree ascending from that point as an occasion for thanks.” 
That is the true standard. Precisely on this scale does the 
Bible compute our mercies. Every step we take from where 
conscious unworthiness would consign us should call for our 
offering of gratitude.  ‘‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we 
are not consumed.” ‘‘Why should a ‘living man complain?” 
So begins the anthem of thanks. It starts at the lowest note 
of all: ‘We are alive. We are not consumed.” Whatever 
we may think of our hardships and deprivations, we are all far 
above the extreme point, and therefore have much occasion 
for thanksgiving. A writer in the Quiver well expresses this 
thought. He says: “I felt most ill-used because a slight acci- 
dent had disabled my right hand. Taking a walk through 
crowded streets, I met one man with one leg only, another 
without the usual number of arms, a blind woman, a girl with 
her face terribly disfigured, two deaf and dumb men, an old 
man with a ‘church-yard cough,’ two funerals, and a van of 
prisoners. Having passed these, and come to a lunatic 


ee ee 


asylum, I made up my mind that I should be very thankful © | 


that I was not as badly off as thousands of more deserving 
people.” 

II. Not only are we alive, but what a wondrous life it is 
we are permitted to live! It is not the life of an animal. A 


man alive! Can you find in all the works of Goda being which ~ 


surpasses him? He stands upon the earth, but his eyes need 
not be earthward bent. His is the upward look, the onward 
march, the glorious future. It is a grand, a glorious, a divine 
gift, this pulsing, throbbing, mastering, glowing life we live. 
To live, to be conscious, to think, to solve problems, to read 
the pages of nature and to reverently turn over the pages that 
reveal God, to believe that this is not all of life, but that above 
things animate and inanimate it is to endure forever, the 
immortal spark never to be quenched, the immortal world 


THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON OUTLINES 291 


never to disappear, for all this, included in the one fact of 

_ life, shall we not evermore give thanks? 

III. Our gratitude is due also because of the age in which 

_ we live. The mists of superstition have almost disappeared. 
The darkness of ignorance no longer envelops us. We have 
got out of the Egyptian night into the clear, crisp morning of 
liberty. | 

And this liberty includes liberty to worship, and liberty of 
the Church to foster and educate and cultivate in men the 

spirit of worship. When compared with her condition in 
many years of the past the Church of Christ has much to be 
thankful for. Now and then we hear rumors of the decadence 
of the Church. We are told that she is losing her influence 
and vitality. But this rumor, far more the expression of a 
wish than the statement of a fact, is not true. The fact is 
that the Church never did better work than it is doing to-day. 
The pulpit never more honestly declared the truth than it is 
declaring it to-day; and the Church ts getting at the mind 
and the heart of the world as never before. 

Fifty years ago a Christian gentleman paid advertising 
rates for space in the Commercial Advertiser of New York 
to fill with religious reading matter. When at the end of the 
year the man came to renew his contract the editor told him 
that the religious matter had proved so interesting to his 

readers that he would furnish the space free. Fifty years 
ago one must pay advertising rates to get religious matter 
into a secular newspaper. ‘To-day the great dailies print 
column after column of sermons, and International Sunday 
School lessons, and reports about missions and missionaries 
and of the church life and work. No, the world is not losing 
interest in the Christian religion, and for this fact let the 
Church be thankful. 

Let us cultivate more the spirit of thankfulness. Arch- 
bishop Trench speaks of a tribe in Brazil in whose language 
there is neither the word nor the idea of “thanks.” God 
forbid that a like fact should ever come to pass in our lan- 
guage. As Spurgeon in his quaint way puts it: ‘Even the 
little chick never takes a drink of water without looking up 
and giving thanks!” Let us not fail to look up and recognize 
God as the giver of every good. 





292 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Get the habit of thanksgiving. There is a beautiful legend — 
of a golden organ in an ancient monastery. Once the monas- — 
tery was besieged by robbers who desired to carry off its treas- — 
ures. The monks took the organ to the river which flowed — 
close by and sank it in the deep water in order to keep it from © 
the hands of the robbers. .And the legend is that though © 
buried thus in the river, the organ still continued to give | 
forth sweet enchanting music, which was heard by those who © 
came near. , 

Every Christian life should be like this golden organ. 
Nothing should ever silence its music. Even when the floods 
of sorrow or disappointment flow over it, it should still con- 
tinue to rejoice and sing. We should have the habit of thanks- 
giving. We should cultivate the habit. Some people are never — 
grateful to God. Some are grateful when things go well. | 
But God is always good and his dealings with us are good. © 
To be grateful one day in the year cannot make up for 
three hundred and sixty-four days of ingratitude. Every day 
should be a Thanksgiving Day. 

It is said that in Africa there is a fruit called the “‘taste 
berry,” because it changes a person’s tastes so that even if — 
eaten several hours after the “‘taste berry,’’ becomes sweet — 
and delicious. Gratitude is the “taste berry” of Christianity, 
and when our hearts are filled with gratitude, nothing that 
God sends us seems unpleasant to us. Sorrowing heart, — 
sweeten your grief with gratitude. Burdened soul, lighten © 
your burden by singing God’s praises. Disappointed one, 
make your disappointment his appointment by a thankful 
spirit. Lonely one, dispel your loneliness by making others 
grateful. Sick one, grow strong in soul thanking God that — 
he loves you enough to chasten you. Keep the “taste berry” 
of gratitude in your hearts, and it will do for you what the 
“taste berry” of Africa does for the African. 4 

Oh, that the grumbler, the pessimist, the chronic complainer | 
might acquire the “thank you habit’! The “thank you” © 
spirit should girdle the globe and ascend towards heaven. — 
Earth bends with its burden of blessings to enrich grateful ~ 
hearts.—H. q 





, 


THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON OUTLINES 293 


VOLCANIC THANKSGIVING 


“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 
Bites Teel k Sah: 

An eruption of the soul in fiery lava of gratitude, remark- 
able alike for the affection expressed and the favors enum- 
erated. 

I. We are rich in God. Such a God, ‘Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ,” and “abundant in mercy.” 

II. We are rich in experience. ‘‘Begotten again unto a 
lively hope.” ‘‘Kept’’ in a fortress. ‘A salvation ready to 
be revealed.” 

Ill. We are rich in heirship. To a “resurrection” like 
Christ’s. ‘To an “inheritance” “incorruptible” and ‘‘unfad- 
ing’ and “reserved.” To a daybreak ready to be “revealed.” 


FEAST OF INGATHERING 


“And thou shalt observe . . . the feast of ingathering at 
theiyear scend: () Lx, 24''22: : 
Thanksgiving, our feast of ingathering—memento of God’s 


_ goodness. 


I. Its educational value—aids reflection; stimulates piety; 
tends to national virtue. 

II. Its epochal character. ‘At the year’s end.’’—Sacred 
seasons, punctuation marks. 

III. Its joyous phenomena. Joy of gathering; joy of 
using; joy of celebrating —Rev. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


REAL THANKSGIVING 


1 Thess. 5: 14-24. 

I. Thanksgiving. 

It is very strange that we are not constantly and thoroughly 
grateful to God for all his mercies to us. Look how dependent 
we are, and see how much we have and when we realize that 
it all comes from the hand of God, we ought to be thanking 


God all the time. 


Gratitude is a mark of culture. The more delicate and 
intense the sense of gratitude, the more surely we may know 


204 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


that those who give it are cultured and refined. They who 
show no appreciation for any kindness or service are base 
indeed. 

Gratitude is a pleasing exercise of the mind. It produces 
a pleasant effect on the feelings. You feel better if you feel 
grateful. It does not have a humiliating effect. It does not 
depreciate your own worth in your own estimation. 

II. Thankspaying. | 

Gratitude is really a debt. We owe something, and thanks- 
giving is the paying of that debt. While this is one of our 
greatest obligations, it is one of the easiest paid. As soon 
as we become conscious of the debt, it is paid. ‘The trouble 
with many is that they are slow to see that they have any 
blessings to be grateful for. One time the writer was re- 
quested to call by a certain good woman, and when he came 
she said: “I want to tell you my troubles.’’ He took out his 
watch and said, “If you will spend fifteen minutes in telling 
me of your blessings, I will listen to your troubles thirty 
minutes.’’ She looked rather surprised and said: ‘‘I had not 
thought of that before, I will not tell you my troubles, but 
let us talk about my blessings.”’ 

Ill. Thanksliving. 

Real gratitude will be constant in its flow. We need not 
think to be grateful spasmodically. It is correct to feel like ~ 
saying, ‘‘Praise the Lord,” all the time. ‘That gratitude which 
shows itself in the life is the best sort. 4 

A Thanksgiving life will be a life void of selfishness. 
Higher ideals than selfish ones will fill the mind and heart. 
Many are selfish without knowing or thinking of it. 

A Thanksliving life will be a life of service. Serving is the ~ 
best way of showing gratitude. Whenever you are conscious 
that some one has done you a favor, your first thought is, 


What can I do in return?—W. M. ANDERSON, D.D. 


THE DOWER OF A NATION 


“And I will make of thee a great nation,” etc. Gen. 12:2. 
Thanksgiving Day sums up the nation’s dower: 

I. Blest of God. “TI will bless thee.” 

II. Nursed to greatness. ‘‘Make thy name great.” 





THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON OUTLINES 295 


III. Ministers to sister nations. ‘‘Thou shalt be a bless- 
— ing.’ —Rev. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


THE GOODNESS OF GOD 


“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great 
goodness,” etc. Psa. 145: 7. 

Thanksgiving, observatory from which to level telescope 
upon goodness of God. 

I. What is revealed. A goodness possessed; a goodness 
shown; a goodness impressive. 

II. What is felt. A “memory’—of the God who is good; 
of its personal realizations; of a sense of gratitude, so apt 
to fade. 

III. What is done. “Uttered”’; statedly; without stint; in 
unison; with reverence; “‘sing of,” etc. To-day unveil a tablet 
to the goodness of God.— REv. S. B. Dunn, D.D. 


EXCELLENT LOVING-KINDNESS 


“How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God!” Psa. 36: 7. 

The late Dr. Howard Osgood, of Rochester, maintained 
that in every instance in which we find the term “‘loving-kind- 
ness” in the Old Testament, we are at liberty to substitute the 
word ‘“‘grace’’ and in every instance in which we find the word 
“grace” in the New Testament we do not go far astray if we 
substitute for it the word “loving-kindness.” Doubtless there 
is a doctrine of grace in the Old Testament. 

I. God’s grace is eternal. He loved us before the world 
was, and chose us from before the world’s foundation. He 
will love us until the world’s last hour of doom. God’s loving- 
kindness is excellent because of its eternity. Human loving- 
kindness has a time limit, but God’s has not. Moreover, God’s 
grace is excellent because of its pure benevolence. Who of us 
deserves salvation? What man ever earned it? ‘God com- 
mendeth his love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ 
died for us.” 

II. Then God’s loving-kindness is excellent because of its 
methods. Many an act of human kindness is wrought so tact- 
lessly that it gives offense without meaning to do so. How 


296 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


gentle is God’s approach to human life! With more than / 
a father’s pity and more than a mother’s love the Eternal, © 


touches and teaches us inorder that he may lead us into the 
way of life everlasting. 

It is the testimony of practically all the students who sat 
under a certain college professor recently gone to his corona- 
tion that he never was impatient with even the most stupid. 
Only rarely did he indulge in words that left a sting. The 
willful and the vicious he could reprove with words that fairly 
blistered, but his tenderness to the timid, his care not to wound 
the feelings of the sensitive, earned for him the title ‘‘saint,”’ 
by which he was affectionately known to many. He had 
learned patience in the school of Christ, and his loving-kind- 


ness was excellent because it was ud from God. —REv. 4 


C. C, ALBERTSON, D.D. 


PRAISE GOD 


“Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still 
praising thee.” Psa. 84: 4. 

I. Praise God for a home. ‘Tens of thousands of boys 
and girls will go to sleep to-night without a mother to tuck 
them into bed, and without any one of the pleasures of home 
about them. 

II. Praise God for food and clothes. Millions of persons 
are hungry to-day, and many of them are suffering for want 
of clothing. 

III. Praise God that you do not lift blind eyes to a sky 
you have never seen. Be grateful for your sight, through 
which so many of your pleasures come. Praise the kind 
Father in heaven, too, for your hearing and speech. Are not 
the sun, the moon, the stars, the air, the water, the rain, the 


snow, the trees, the flowers, worth a word of praise? Yet 


how seldom do we thank God for these common blessings? 

IV. Praise God for books and for the pleasure and power 
which come from reading and education. 

V. Praise God for the wonderful inventions and progres- 
sive spirit which made to-day the best time in all the world’s 
history to be alive. The comforts, the conveniences, the pleas- 
ures and the blessings that are possible to all of us in these 


SO aR a ee 





age 


7 ee 


— 


Sates. 


eres 


THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON OUTLINES 297 


modern days are surely worth a ‘Thank you!” to the Great 
“Giver of them all. 

VI. Praise God, most of all, for the blessed Bible and the 
loving Saviour. Jesus is the theme of the praises that are 
sung in heaven; shall he not be our chiefest cause for praise 

here? 

~ How shall we do all this praising? With our lips. In 
‘our hearts. By our lives. Just to be glad and grateful is 
‘praise that pleases God. ‘Then, to give another person reason 
to be glad and grateful is still a better way of praising God. 


OLDEN TIME APPRECIATION 


“Destroy not the ancient landmarks which the fathers have 
meet, Prov... 22:28. 

We never become so far advanced that we are independent 
of the “days of old.” Some moments of thanksgiving may 
well be given to an appreciation of the “ancient landmarks.” 

I. Old-time virtues: 

1. Hospitality. 

2. Courtesy. 

3. Citizenship. 

4. Patriotism. 

II. Old-time institutions. 

1. Educational. 

2. Domestic. 

SC vic, 

4. Religious. 
- III. Old-time character: plain, straightforward, humble, 
-godly.—Rev. C. R. SHAVER. 


WHY GIVE THANKS? 


- ‘Thou crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths 
‘drop fatness.’”’ Psa. 65:11. 

_ This day is for thanksgiving. It is not appointed for a fast 
‘but a feast. We may appropriately consider how the gifts we 
“acknowledge as a nation may be preserved and increased. But 
it is not observing the day for national thanksgiving to con- 
‘centrate attention on the sins confessed and unconfessed of 


ty 
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Bs: 
wi 

: 
Ni 


298 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


which we are guilty, or to magnify the perils which threaten 
society and endanger the stability of government. There are 
times fit for that duty, but Thanksgiving Day is the one day 
of the year appointed for a different purpose. What then are 
the chief causes why all the people should praise God as this 
year draws to its close? ) 

I. Prosperity. It is the greatest of any year in our his- 
tory. Never before were farms so fruitful, mines yielding 
such stores of wealth, employed labor so abundantly re- 
warded. 


“Praise waiteth for thee, O God... 
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; 
And thy paths drop fatness.”’ 


II. Peace. There is no strife within our borders. Our 
national flag is as much honored in one part of the country as 
in another. 

III. Power. Our nation is recognized to-day as a mighty 
leader among all nations. It has come into a place of power 
which its people in the last century hardly dreamed of, and 
which, even in this year, is a surprise to mankind. It has 
preserved the integrity of the Chinese Empire, and has re- 
versed the policy of mighty kingdoms; and its power has been 
exercised, not for its own aggrandizement, but for the welfare 
of all mankind. Oppressed peoples turn to us for deliverance, 
and those greedy for spoil halt at our word. } 

IV. Patriotism. ‘This year is witnessing a moral renewal, 
an awakening sensitiveness to honor in business, integrity in 
government and a new consciousness of civic responsibility, 
which has found expression at the polls as well as in pulpits. 
and on platforms. Bosses have been overthrown, combina- 
tions of thieves and plunderers broken up, forces of intemper- 
ance have been overcome in cities all over the land. The 
people are rallying around honest and self-sacrificing leaders, , 
are striving for higher ideals in government, are moving to: 
protect the weak and promote the nobler interests of their 
fellowmen. 

V. Piety. There are prayers for religious quickening, and 
signs of its coming, in so many places that those who are watch- 





THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON OUTLINES 299 


ing for new revelations from God are persuaded that we are 
entering on a new era of national reaching after spiritual 
ideals. Christians of all names are coming into closer fellow- 
ship for united effort to impart the blessings of the gospel of 
‘Christ to all men. 

Our material wealth is great and growing, but our greatest 
cause for thanksgiving is that this wealth does hot satisfy; 
‘that there is abroad in the land an unsatisfied longing for the 
things that fulfill divine ideals in man. The number is multi- 
plying of the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peace- 
makers, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, those 
who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake—whose is the king- 
dom of heaven, who shall be called sons of God. 





| 


A ae, Oe tay ae TN el 


PART XLIX: OUTLINES OF SERMONS. 
ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND TO ~ 
FRATERNITIES 


A PASTOR’S INSTALLATION SERMON | 


“Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as” 
I was sent for; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent 
for me?”’ Acts 10: Q2. 

There is a whispering-gallery from the lip of the needy tol 
the ear of God. It is recorded of the elder Dionysius of 
Syracuse, that he ordered a cave to be constructed for his” 
prisoners in the form of an ear, so that every word they 
uttered was conveyed to one common tympanum, close to_ 
which he sat. The world is such a cave; every cry, however 
feeble, is heard by him who inclines his ear to hear “‘the groang 
ings ve the prisoners.”’ 

Cornelius had preferred his request, and left it with God. 
There was some delay in gratifying it, for God was training’ 
Peter by various methods so that he might overcome his preju- 
dices, and engage in the work so distasteful to him. When 
that was done, the prayer of Cornelius was fully answered. 
Four days elapsed, and then a scene of most significant im- 
port is beheld; there stands Simon, the rigid Jew, in the house 
of a Gentile, anid not only so, but he stands there to tell of 
privileges common, alike, to dew and Gentile. He does not 
stand alone; six of his countrymen are spectators of his zeal. 
He Heb tave neither pride nor indifference; he gives them to. 
understand he has come without reluchinice, at their request, | 
to render the service they desire. \ 

I. Notice, first, his commendable silence. ‘Without gain-. 
saying.” i 

1. He was silent, although his mission was foreign to) 
his prejudices. If we would do anything for God 
we must stifle our prejudices. 


2. He was silent, although he doubted, perhaps, his own 
300 


| OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 301 


qualifications for the mission. If he did not doubt, 

a it is certain he was strongly tempted thereto, verse 

x 20. Doubts will invade the mind, but we should 

| never encourage or utter them. If a are said to 

be in the way of duty, put the finger of faith in your 
ear, and you will never hear their roaring. 

Every word we utter of “‘gainsaying’’ is a strand, 
of which the devil makes a rope to bind the hands 
of usefulness. | | 

3. He was silent, although the commission was sudden 
and surprising. 

The wise man said there was a time to keep silence. 
We may be assured that time has come when God 
commands us to do or suffer. 

II. Notice, secondly, his eager diligence. “As soon as I 

was sent for.” He came with all promptness. We believe 

earnestness is as much an ordained means for the success of 
the gospel as prayer or faith. In the case of Peter we have 
this earnestness exemplified. 

» 1. He did not hesitate on account of his stained char- 
acter. Had not the command been explicit, he might 
have said, I will wait before I go forth as an apostle 
to the Gentiles, and, by an exemplary and holy life, 
strive to regain my reputation, at least, in the eyes of 
the brethren. For | believe the thought of his denial 
and abandonment of the crucified Lord never was out 
of his mind for an hour. Many are held back from 
usefulness by fear lest men should taunt them with 
their former character. Their fear, however, not 
their history, is the real barrier to usefulness. Like 
Artemon, who was so afraid lest anything should 
fall on him, that he had two slaves to carry a brazen 
shield over him constantly; his precaution placed him 
in jeopardy, for the shield was the most likely thing 
to fall on him. 

2. He was not tardy on account of his inexperience. It 
was the first time of his going as a missionary to the 
Gentiles. But he was courageous. He knew he had 
a sermon in his heart, and trusted in God to bring 
it to his lips. 





: 7 
302 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES i 


The young pastor may ask with anxious concern, as he 
looks forward to years of labor and considers his own in- 
experience, ‘‘Where are all my sermons to come from?” He 
need not fear; if he faithfully place the ordained trumpet to” 
his lips, God shall make a variety of melody. 

Each one of us is called to some service. The finger of 
God points to some Cesarea; first of all let us know where it 
lies, and then eagerly hasten thither: i 

III. Notice, thirdly, his pointed question: “I ask, there-. 
fore, for what intent ye have sent for me?” Like a physician, 
he wastes no time in idle formalities; he goes straight to the 
patient, and inquires why he is sent for. It is well for the 
Christian pastor to start fairly; to have his mission fully 
understood; to know the expectations of his charge, so that 
neither they nor himself may be disappointed afterward. 

We may suppose some answers to the question, as given by 
modern congregations, and state the fitting rejoinders. : 

1. To be a censor of others. No, the preacher’s posie 
tion is that of a shepherd, not a sheep-dog. 

2. To be a caterer for our intellectual wants. No, the: 
preacher should strive to improve the minds of his. 
people, but his chief mission is to the heart. 5 

3. Tobe a boon companion. No, a preacher should re-. 
joice to share the joys of his hearers, but his first busi- 
ness has to do with the poor and sorrowful. | 

4. To repeat the particular creed of his hearers. The: 
preacher’s duty is to deal with God’s word, and not! 
with the systems manufactured therefrom. 

Let the answer to the question of Peter, when repeated ‘by, 
preachers now, be such as this. “‘We have sent for you to ex- 
pound and enforce the Word of our Master; to admonish the 
erring, and encourage the faint; to teach men their danger, 
and proclaim the Deliverer.” ‘Then shall our preachers be 
more like Peter, their sermons more like his, and their success: 
something after the sort recorded in the 44th verse. 


THE CHRISTIAN’S CONFIDENCE 


“He knoweth the way that I take.” Job 23:10. 
Job was like a poor traveler on a lonely road. The devil 


¥ 





OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 303 


had been permitted to intercept his course, and bruise, and 
lame, and strip him of all he had. Now, these so-called 
friends weave elaborate arguments to prove that, because he 
js in such a sorry plight, therefore he must be in the wrong 
‘road. So Job virtually says, “It does not matter what you 
think, God knows all about me, and if he thought it was wrong 
for me to be as I am, he would tell me!”’ 

I may take this as the language of every tried child of God, 
and paraphrase it thus: 

I. ‘He knoweth the way I take,” for he directed me. God 
ordained even his footsteps. The greatest comfort we can 
have in time of affliction is to know God ordains it; to know 
‘we are not responsible for our sufferings. 

II. “He knoweth the way I take,” for he visited me. I 
have had communion with him. He would not be false to 
me. He would not strengthen me in a wrong course. 

_ Let the afflicted soul in his darkest hours say: “God must 
know my state, for I have felt him to be near.” 

Ill. ‘He knoweth the way that I take,” although it is 
almost trackless. I walk alone, and can hardly find my way, 
but I am sure of going right, because God is looking on. This 
is walking by faith. 

IV. “He knoweth the way that I take,” although I have 
‘sometimes doubted it. God’s guidance is not dependent on 
our faith. He is true to us, however skeptical we may be. 
It is not always that the afflicted can feel all is right. 

YV. “He knoweth the way that I take,” so I conclude he 
will never abandon me. His past mercy is a pledge of future 
grace. He never yet left the soul he engaged to guide. 

VI. “He knoweth the way that I take,” so I do not mind 
its horns. “It is very rough and perilous,” says the soul; “I 
grow weary, and am wounded at almost every step, but if a 
‘gracious God keep his eye on me I cannot perish.” 

_ VII. “He knoweth the way that I take,” therefore I must 
reach home. It must lead to final and blessed rest, for he 
has promised eternal life and felicity to those who put their 
trust in him. He knows the snares, the perils, the trials of 
the way, and will guard and deliver and succor me. It does 
not matter, then, what the road is, nor how we feel therein— 
it leads up to heaven. 












304 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


FREEMASONRY TRIUMPHANT 


Text: ‘And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of 
God, and the song of the Lamb.” Rev. 15:3. 

When we pass from the narrow confines of the room which 
represents to us some of the features of King Solomon’s ony 
to that Temple “not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” 
what song shall we sing? Our text is the answer: “Ihe song 
of Moses and the song of the Lamb.” 

I. The song of Moses: What was that? 

1. The song of patriotism. You will find its exact ocd 
ing in Exodus 15. The song of the redeemed yonder is the 
song of every true Mason here. It is a fact that many of 
earth’s greatest patriots have been Freemasons. 

Some foolishly think that our secrecy is incompatible witli 
patriotism. As well suppose that a private meeting of direc- 
tors of a corporation means bankruptcy, or a Vatican conclave. 
the horrors of the Inquisition. Individuals, families, societies, 
have secret matters that it is not necessary or expedient to pub-) 
lish on the housetops. If the publication of our secrets would, 
enhance the interests of justice or the happiness of the world, 
or were they of a base or reprehensible nature, there might. 
be no excuse for their retention; but since they are not of this’ 
class we do not feel we should be blamed for putting a seal 
on our lips, and politely asking outsiders to mind their own 
business. } 

Of this we are sure, that no Mason has ever absorbed the 
poison of disloyalty to our country, its flag, its constitution,, 
or its rulers, from the principles,and precepts he has acquire 
in the lodge rooms of his Order. 

If it ever comes to a trial of strength in this coe be- 
tween anarchy and law, it will soon be discovered where every) 
true Mason stands. 

2. The song of law. Examine the constitutions of nations,, 
the Magna Charta written in the blood of martyrs, the de= 
cisions of great law courts, and what name do you find be 
tween and under the lines? Moses. He rises in isolated) 
grandeur above the law givers of all time. The moral la 
as enunciated by him is as obligatory to-day as on the day he 
uttered it. This, too, is a Masonic song. At no communi- 








OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 305 


cation are our members permitted to forget the laws that cir- 
' cumscribe them. 


What is the furniture of our lodges? No matter where they 


_ be situated, in New York or Hong Kong, Berlin or Okla- 
'homa. It is the Bible, the Square, and the Compass. What 


does the Bible mean? Law. The Square? Law. The Com- 
pass? Law. The Bible is on every Masonic altar, and its 
teachings underlie our principles. Go into any lodge-room in 


_ the wide world, and you will find the Book. We sadly fail in 
- our efforts, | am aware, to shape our lives to the model it 
_ presents, but the fault is all our own, and not the Order’s to 
which, with all our unworthiness, we belong. The Square? 
That needs no explanation. Like the Decalogue, the Shep- 


herd Psalm, the Beatitudes, it is self-explanatory. He is a 
“square” man! Did you ever go to a dictionary for a defini- 
tion of the term? - No; instinct told you. A man whose word 
is enough. No oath or bond could strengthen it. 

The Compass? Law still. That no man is a law unto him- 


self. That others have rights he no more dares to invade than 


one star to transgress the orbit of another. With the Com- 
_ pass he says: ‘‘Passion, outside that circle thou canst not go! 
Selfishness, thus far and no farther!’ Whenever you see a 
_ brother permitting himself to trample over fences hallowed by 


~ sacred pledges, and wandering into forbidden grounds, show 


him the Compass, and he will stand reproved in the presence 


‘of its mute eloquence. Whenever you discover in yourself a 


tendency, however faint, to violate the line that all morality 

and religion sanction, whisper the meaning of the Compass to 

your soul, and strengthen your will to obey its high behest. 
3. The song of prophecy. Not permitted himself to go 


over into the Promised Land, Moses predicted the fulfillment 
_ of God’s promises for his people. Within the scope of his 


prophetic vision he saw the Land entered, conquered, occu- 


pied, a kingdom established, a Temple erected, all the glitter- 


ing splendors of David’s and Solomon’s reign, and the ever- 


lasting rule of David’s greater Son. Masonry is embodied 


_ optimism, the incarnation of hope and good will. She be- 


lieves in the capabilities of human nature, the willingness of 


_ Divine to reinforce the human, the betterment of the world 
_ by the codperation of God and man. She looks upon the past, 


306 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


gathers from hoary antiquity all that it has to teach, but keeps 
her eyes steadily fixed on a future brighter than all the golden 
days of the past. 

My brethren, we stand for the betterment of the world. 
We do not believe the world is going from bad to worse, but 
from better to best. 

4. The song of immortality. At the head of the goth 
Psalm are these words: “A Song of Moses.” I am not sure 


that he wrote it, but I am positive that he believed in im- — 


mortality, that when on Mount Nebo he put his head on God’s 


soft hand, he did so in the firm conviction that the ravishment ~ 


of eternity was about to open before him. So God gave to 
his beloved sleep, and death was swallowed up in victory. 


There is inspiration in the funeral of a Mason. There is — 


_ sadness, of course, over the loss of a brother dearly beloved, 
a grief which finds fitting expression in the exclamation: ‘‘Alas, 


my brother!’’ But I never see the acacia dropped upon the © 


casket without hearing an echo of St. Paul’s superb challenge: 


‘OQ death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy vic- 


tory!” 


I have had time to touch on one stanza only of heaven’s — 


song. But there is another. 
II. The song of redemption: “And the Song of the Lamb.” 
Moses was the schoolmaster to bring us to the greater Prophet 


he foretold. ‘The law was given to Moses, but grace and — 


truth came by Jesus Christ.” 
We turn from Sinai, enshrouded with the smoke of the 


Divine presence to the little town of Bethlehem, where the © 
Babe is cradled who is to change the face of history, and toa ~ 


place called Calvary, where he wins the world by sacrifice. 
The holy Saints John are deeply reverenced by every Mason. 


The Song of Redemption was precious to both of them. One ~ 


said: “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of 
the world.” The other declared: ‘“These things are written © 


that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of 
the world.” 

We, like the choir invisible, must sing both stanzas of the 
Song. 


The Song of Moses, the servant of God, for that is the | 


song of patriotism, law, prophecy, and immortality. 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 307 
“And the Song of the Lamb,” for that is the song of our 


i \ ea 








THE THREE LINKS OF THE INDEPENDENT 
ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS 


I. First, Fellowship. There is implanted in the human 
heart a desire for fellowship. Life is absolutely lonely with- 
out it. Joy is always multiplied by sharing it and trouble is 
always lightened by dividing the burden. As the tear-drops 
in a child’s eyes are hung with rainbows by kind words, so 
in the life of manhood, where larger feelings meet. No man 
has mourned for a hermit’s life. Such a life is absolutely 
unnatural. Every one of us is absolutely a creature of society. 

For these reasons men organize, and among the organiza- 
tions the Odd Fellows stand among the first. The Order is 
founded upon Friendship, Love, and Truth, a trinity of forces 
which makes a chain hard to break. 

True friendship always shines brighter in trouble, and this 
is its test. Trouble is to friendship what acid is to the gold. 
Are you aware of the fact that true friendships do much 
_ toward character? It is a rare thing in the journey of life 
that a man climbs to a summit of fame without willing hands 
to help him up. 

II. The second link. You recall the familiar story of the 
sculptor whose touch seemed endowed with magic, and who, 
when a little girl marveled at the beauty of an angel he had 
wrought and referred to it as having been carved by him, 
_ declared that the angel was already in the marble, and that 
he had only cut away the stone around it, allowing it to 
escape. 

Happy is that man in an organization who looks to men 
all around and discovers the angel of their nature, for every 
man has a better angel; and happy that Order, no matter what 
it is, that cuts away the marble and lets the angel out of the 
man. It is the grandest work in all the world. 

You not only have the financial interest, but the entire 
- interest of a brother at heart. You will not think me harsh 
if I say to-day that he is not a good Odd Fellow who looks to 


308 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


the financial benefits that accrue from the Order, and forgets 
the moral obligations that bind him to a brother. 


And he is not worthy of the name of Odd Fellow who simply | 


enters into it as an insurance organization. 
Love is embraced in friendship. Ah, what a power is love! 
Love puts a new face upon this old world of ours. 


Il]. The third link. But I want to dwell more extensively — 


on that third link in the chain—T ruth. Do you know it is our 
business as charitable men and women to learn the truth? And 
it is our business as Odd Fellows to learn the truth about God 
and the great hereafter. 

Are you aware that a man is only great as he appropriates 
what God has provided for him? A butterfly came into my 
study one day and bathed its wings in the sunshine, and then 


lighted on the Word of God on my desk, spread its wings, © 
fluttered a while, walked across the page, and then flew out 
of the window forever. And the thought struck me that | am ~ 
greater than that butterfly. A world of wisdom was under 
its feet, a world of revelation was beneath it, and it did not — 
see it; but I do understand it, I do appropriate it to myself. — 
That brilliant flower is brilliant simply because it appropriates — 


to itself the brilliant colors that are around it. That bird © 


sings sweeter than that other bird on the top of the tree 


simply because it appropriates the music; and he is greatest — 


in the journey of life who appropriates to himself what God 
Almighty has provided for us. We are to learn to love him — 
and serve him, and we are to learn one more lesson, and that — 


is the lesson of help. 


Friends, there is nothing that endears us to our fellowmen — 
like the practice of the virtues of Friendship, Love, and Truth. — 
Grandly all these years has this old Order pursued her way. ~ 


The blessings of hundreds of widows and orphans have been 


heaped upon her. “If every blessing were a flower, she would © 
be hidden from sight beneath a wilderness of blossoms.” Her — 


cheeks are ruddy with the hues of health, her eyes are limpid © 


with love, and her stalwart form cheerfully bears the burden ~ 


she so cheerfully assumes. 


May you be Odd Fellows indeed! Odd to those who are © 


sinful and worldly, odd to the stingy and mean, odd to all that — 
is depraved and unholy and material, but thoroughly in har-— 


oe 








OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 309 


- mony with God and with your brethren dwelling in tents down 
here and in the palace of the King hereafter—Rev. V. W. 
| TEVES. 


ROYAL ARCANUM FELLOWSHIP 


Text: “He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own 
destruction; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a 
f brother.” Proy. 18:24. 

In all ages—since history records the aspirations of men, 
_ their efforts along different lines of endeavor, their accomplish- 
-ments and conclusions—a definition comprehensive enough to 
embrace the full meaning of Friendship or Fellowship has 
been sought after, alike by pagan and Christian, learned and 
unlearned. Seneca, the Stoic, urged, “If you wish to gain 
affection, bestow it,’’ while Ovid added his poetic sentiment 
to the philosopher’ s convictions, ““The way to be loved is to 
be lovely.”” Emerson blended both i in a sentence, ‘The only 
_ way to have a friend is to be one.’ 

The Bible, however, does not amuse with sparkling epi- 
grams when it can better instruct by profound principles. We 
find choice suggestion concerning active friendship, or fellow- 
ship, implied in the Golden Rule. There is a longing for 
_ kindly favor in most hearts, and the Golden Rule would sug- 
gest that such favor be secured by guarding our way, step by 
step, by being kind and friendly, and thus show ourselves 
worthy of “fellowship.” 

Following out this clew to fellowship, we find numerous 
passages in the Bible which give valuable suggestions and deep 
meaning; as, ‘“A companion of fools shall sweat for it.” ‘“‘A 
companion of harlots wasteth his substance.” ‘‘Make no 
friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou 
shalt not go.” 

The word translated friends, in the text, means to delight 
in, to have mutual delight. It is the same word used to show 
the attachment of Jacob and Joseph, Jonathan and David. It 
may, consequently, be viewed in the light of companion. But 
here, too, we find a word of warning: ‘‘A man of companions 
_ breaks himself up, but there is a Friend more attached than 
a brother.” 


310 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


The meaning, in all these cases cited, is to suggest a true 


| 
4 
\ 


. 


basis for friendship. And it indicates that such can only — 
exist where both are true and upright. Otherwise, the re- — 


sults must be disappointing and disastrous. 
In order to avoid disaster, certain safeguards may be of 


value, and certain fundamentals are suggested, which declare ~ 


that more than mere natural endowments are necessary to true 
“fellowship.” 
I. First, The Safeguards: As the lighthouse suggests and 


implies the dangerous coast, so the thought of safeguards in — 


fellowship suggests the perils of society. 
1. Indiscriminate companionship may lead to many 


dangers. Many people go into society with the best inten- — 


tions, but are prone to forget the true basis and worth of so- 
ciety and life. 


There must be an Exemplar; and the true model of all — 
worthy society and fellowship is he who “went about doing — 
good.” ‘rue society is neither recluse nor ascetic, but is the © 
mingling of men with men to do each other good. Who can — 
estimate the good that is flowing into society from the multi- — 
plied combines of Christian “Fellowship,” courtesy, cheer, and — 
charity? A safeguard should consequently be placed against — 


all questionable approaches, lest this influx of good be dis- 
turbed and hindered by “fellowship” and fraternity. 


In order to accomplish this guarding of society, God has 


inaugurated, organized, united effort against evil. One of 


these organizations is the Church, which must be ever regarded — 
as the mother of society and all true “fellowship” and fra- | 


ternity. 


This is one of the great principles of our noble Order, and © 
of which we need not be ashamed; for this principle, combined — 
with other high and noble strivings which are the natural out- © 
growth of this deep, broad, profound fundamental—such as — 
Fraternity, relief to the sick and distressed, aid to widows — 
and orphans of deceased members, and in many ways active in — 
works of ‘‘Mercy and Charity,” sympathy and brotherhood— ~ 
may, I think, be safely applied to the Royal Arcanum, in that — 


it brings men into close fellowship and cherishes those feelings 
that thrive and put forth blossoms in each other’s welfare. 
They are calculated to make men thoughtful and helpful. 


7 








- 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 311 


Expanding the sentiments of “Virtue, Charity, and Mercy,” 
they remind us of the principles of the Gospel, which does 
good to all men, by “‘breaking bread to the hungry, giving a 
cup of water to the thirsty, watching at the bedside of the 
sick, visiting the imprisoned’’—duties which are, alas, too 
often neglected in ordinary friendships. Every one of the 
principles of the Royal Arcanum is useful as a guard or signal 
against evil, and proudly raises the banner covered with the 
inscription of ‘‘Virtue, Mercy and Charity.” 

These principles will help any thoughtful, sincere man to 
live up to the true standard of the Church of Christ, which 
is the greatest of all Orders of Fellowship—for it is a 
‘World-wide Brotherhood.” 

We are told in the text, “But there is a friend that sticketh 
closer than a brother.’ The scecret of this close cleavage 
and unbreakable union is to be found in the strong, firm foun- 
dation upon which it rests. It is for a worthier purpose than 
mere natural kinship, and the attachment is consequently more 
close and durable. 

2. Fellowship inspires to high purposes. Emerson vividly 
displays this principle when he says, ‘‘Our chief want is some- 
body who can make us do what we are able. ‘This is the 
service of a true friend. How he flings wide the doors of 
existence, what questions we ask of him, what an understand- 
ing we have. It is the only real society.”’ 

3. Again, ‘‘Fellowship” gives impulse to unselfish relation- 
ship. Brotherly love and human Brotherhood are conceptions 
now held in deservedly high esteem, but they come to us 
through the Gospel and the Church. 

II. And now, in conclusion, let us think of that ‘‘Friend 
that sticketh closer than a brother,”’ in imitation of whom we 
have found possibilities of ‘Fellowship,’ and whom ages of 
Christian thought have recognized as the source of all that 
is noblest and most beautiful in human character. 

If ever fellowship aroused enthusiasm for truth and im- 
parted peaceful blessings, the burning and shining lights in the 
history of reforms, revivals and missions may be used as 
means by which to measure the power for good of Christian 
fellowship. 

But ideas need organization, and this involves fellowship. 


312 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Wiclif said, ‘Jesus chose twelve men that they might haye 
fellowship with him.’ ‘This gives us a conception of true 
fellowship. But what is most surprising is, that such a fel- 


lowship as Christ gave an example of could ever be compared — 


with modern society. ‘ Should we not, then, stop and reflect, 
and ascertain how much we come short of this model, even 
the Christ, for that alone is true fellowship? ‘The Church is 
the true organization of hallowed and blessed friendship.— 
Rev. Noau E. YEISER. 


FRATERNAL LIFE INSURANCE 


Text: ‘Set thine house in order.” 2 Kings 20:1. 

In presenting to you the question of insurance, it becomes 
necessary to lay down three propositions, or unfold to you a 
condition, the remedy, and the result. First, we are in a 


lamentable condition. ‘This condition is a stubborn fact, pre- — 


senting itself to every intelligent brain. It is not the crea- 
tion of a pessimistic mind. The stubborn fact confronts the 
optimist and the pessimist alike, and the part of wisdom is to 
comprehend it and apply an adequate remedy. 

The condition is one of extravagance, recklessness, and care- 
lessness. ‘This is the most extravagant, reckless, and careless 
age of the world, in one sense of the word. It costs you more 
to live to-day than ever before. The combined forces are de- 
manding all that a man possesses and al] that a man is. 


This is the age of uncertainties. The wealthy man of to-day | 


is the pauper of to-morrow, because of the rapidly changing 
circumstances. [he heat and pa'ssion in which business is 
conducted preclude meditation, consideration, and delibera- 


tion; and with electric rapidity the man makes his money, the - 


man spends his money, the man rises, and the man falls. 
These things being true, the question that agitates the honest 

man is—How can I provide for my family, provide against 

encroachments upon their bounty and their future safety? He 


spends his time laboring for them. But little can be made and © 
saved by any one man to-day. Men by honest labor make © 


very little and save very little. 


I present to you this thought: I believe the remedy is to — 


be found in a safe insurance policy. ‘The brainy business man 


Pe 


2 








OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 313 


_of the country, the wealthiest man of the land, side by side 
with the prudent, careful, honest toiler, have each and all 
arrived at the conclusion that the safest investment and pro- 
vision for their wives and children is a well-protected insur- 
ance policy. They are taking out these policies—policies that 
cannot be attacked by law; policies that cannot be affected by 
the changing conditions; policies that cannot be stained by poli- 
tics; policies free, pure, heaven’s blessings and earth’s benedic- 
tions, handed direct to the orphaned children and to the 
widowed wife. 

The statement in my first proposition being true, it then 
becomes a man’s duty to provide for his family. In fact no 
man has a right to take unto himself a wife unless he can see 
that in the natural course of events he can provide for her 
beyond her wants and suffering. No man has a right to bring 
into this world a child and lay it in the lap of the State and 
demand that the Sheriff become its nurse, the jail its nursery, 
and the public treasury its benefactor. No man has a right 
to bring into this world a child unless he has made an honest 
provision for its support, its deportment, and its education. 
In the course of business events it may be impossible for him 
to absolutely secure to this child all the comforts and blessings 
he would like to bestow upon it, but it is possible for him to 
insure his life, and thereby secure to his wife comfort and 
happiness. It is possible for him to insure his life and make 
absolutely safe the comfort and protection of his dependent 
children. An insurance policy is a bridge across this yawning 
chasm of extravagance, recklessness, carelessness, and uncer- 
tainty. It becomes an honest man’s duty to bridge this chasm 
in order that his dependent wife and suffering children may 
cross it in security and peace. 

_ Again, I call your attention to fraternal insurance. I be- 

lieve in it. I believe in anything that will righteously draw 
men together and teach the great idea of brotherhood, human- 
ity, helpfulness, and divine kindness. I believe in old-line in- 
surance. I have policies in the best old-line companies. So I 
_ have policies in several fraternal orders; and I took policies 
_ in fraternal insurance because they teach the idea of brother- 
_ hood, of friendship, of charity, of confidence, of kindness, and 
love; of personal, hand-to-hand contact with a man in his suf- 


: 


fering and in his sorrows. I am in these fraternal insurance 
orders and many other fraternal orders because they bring to 
my personal attention and lay upon my personal heart the 
woes, sorrows, and pains of the individual man, the indi- 
vidual woman, the individual child—ReEv. Marx A. MAtT- 
THEWS, D.D. : 


814 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


LOVE AND THE MYSTERIES: SERMON FOR 
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 


Text: ‘“‘Though I understand all mysteries and have not 
love, I am nothing.” 1 Cor. 13:2. 

When St. Paul’s Corinthian audience heard the word “mys- 
teries’ there was conjured up in their minds an entirely dif- 
ferent picture from that which springs in the modern American 
mind. They did not think of the mysteries of science, or the 
mysteries of the stars, or even the mysteries of a haunted 
house. On the contrary the Corinthian would think of the 
Elusinian Mysteries, that were regularly celebrated on the 
road from Athens to Corinth, or the Orphic Mysteries, which 
kept alive the memory of the great singer Orpheus, or the 
mystery of Samothrace, or of Ephesus. , 

These secret cults were so common at the time that it is 
very possible some of the heathen converts in the Corinthian 
Church had been initiated into one or more of them and could 
say, | understand the Elusinian, or the Orphic, or the Ephesian 
Mystery. Probably Paul knew that some who would read his 
words would recall the sort of miracle-play which had been 
enacted before their eyes when they were initiated into the 
Elusinian Mystery. They would recall how Cora had been 
snatched before their eyes by Pluto, the god of the under- 
world; how her mother Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, had 
mournfully searched for her while all growing things with- 
ered under her neglect. They had seen the daughter restored 
after the mother had gone to the underworld to beg for her 
and had witnessed the gift of agriculture to the world as a 
final result. 

Others there were who had not been initiated but who knew 
that the candidate was purified by a sacrifice and then led, 
after prayer and fasting, through dark passages confusing with | 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 315 


terrifying sights and sounds, but was at last allowed to return 
to the light and given a view of their goddess. 

_ Some of the members of the church had probably met on 
‘the wharves of Corinth sailors who feared no storms at sea, 
for they knew the Mystery of Samothrace and its protecting 
secrets. Others had encountered the superior air of members 
of the Orphic Mystery who had learned secrets guaranteed to 
give them peace in the life to come. 

Recalling that this is the original meaning of the word ‘‘mys- 

teries,’’ we can easily paraphrase the text to read: ‘““Though I 
understand all the secrets of all the fraternal societies and 
have not love, lam nothing.” For any one at all familiar with 
the rituals of our great secret societies will see a strong re- 
semblance between the ‘“‘mystery” of the first century and the 
lodges of the twentieth. 
_ To be perfectly frank with St. Paul we must explain that 
‘he himself, in using the word, was not thinking of the cult at 
‘all. He was using the word in a secondary sense, namely, 
‘that of some hidden truth, the guardian of which could im- 
part it only to those who earnestly sought it and under the 
‘most favorable circumstances. It is in this sense that he 
‘speaks of ‘“‘the mystery of godliness,” the mystery of the 
transformed body at the resurrection, or the mystery of sal- 
“vation. 

But we will do no violence to the meaning of the writer if 

_we substitute the word “lodge” for ‘“‘mysteries,” and read it 
_as we have suggested: ‘Though I understand all the inner 
“meaning of the ritual of my lodge and have not caught the 
“spirit of love, I have no right to be considered a member.” 
_ In fact, we can win some practical inspiration by translating 
the entire chapter into the vernacular of the lodge: ‘Though I 
“speak with heavenly eloquence in the lodge room, if I have 
not love I will make no more impression than a sounding brass 
or a tinkling cymbal. And though I understand all the ritual 
of the lodge and have such faith in its worth that I can move 
mountains of opposition, and have not love, I have no stand- 
ing asamember. Though I bestow my entire fortune to feed 
the poor of the lodge, and though I give my last ounce of 
strength to carry on its work, it can bring me no satisfaction 
unless I have a loving spirit in the task.” 


: 





=, > 


ae Oe 


316 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


Here, then, is a test by which any brother may decide 


whether he is a credit to his lodge or not. By studying these 
words he may learn whether he has caught the true spirit of 


fraternalism or whether he has been carried away by less im- 
portant features. If he feels that he has not been wielding 


the influence he should in his organization, he may find the 


answer here. If he feels that he is not getting enough satis- 


faction out of his lodge work, perhaps he can find the explana- 
tion here. Never has the true inwardness of fraternalism, as’ 


well as of religion, been so clearly and powerfully expressed. 


Paul was one of the most practical men the world ever saw. 


He never allowed mere emotion to carry him away. Always 
he came back to the sober realities of life. So he does in this 
chapter. He drops suddenly from his rhapsody on Love to 
a dozen practical tests, lest any man plume himself falsely on 
having this great essential in his heart. He has no wish to 


encourage sentimental people whose energies are expended in 


words. ‘To such he sets a severe heart-searching: ‘‘Have you,” 


he asks, “the drab negative quality of patience as well as the 
bright positive quality of kindness? Can you endure without 


complaint, as Lincoln did, slights, insults, open wrong, in the 
constant hope that the erring brother may come back to your 
friendship again? Do you, on the other hand, make it a con- 
stant practice to fill the lives of those about you with thought- 
ful deeds of love? If you do not you cannot claim to have 
this supreme quality.” 

These are his first two tests. The next two deal with our 
relations to inferiors and superiors respectively. ‘‘Can you,” 


he asks, ‘“‘look without envy upon a brother who has received 
honors and gifts that you believe to be your due? Can you, 


on the other hand, endure sudden prosperity or unlooked-for 
honors without a desire to strike envy into the hearts of your 
former equals?” 

Then he passes on to life within the lodge room itself: ‘‘Do 
you injure the feelings of your brothers by rude and unseemly 


conduct or by heedless scramblings after privileges that you 


think are your due? Love does neither of these. Or if others 
forget themselves to commit these faults, are you easily 


aroused to resent their conduct? Love is not easily pro- 


voked.”’ 


ad 

¥ 
ee 
a 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 317 


How have you dealt with erring members? Have you en- 


_ dured all manner of wrongs from them? Have you per- 


2 


OS RRS 


_sistently turned a deaf ear to unpleasant rumors, believing 
only that which was good about them, and hoping ever that 
they would mend their ways to win the love and respect of 


-all? Have you been the last to censure and the first to for- 


give? 


So ge ee oe Le 


If you have done these things, then your life is crowned 


_ with the greatest and most enduring of all Bree —Rev. J. B. 


' BURKHARDT. 


_ mercy endureth forever. 


ee ot & 


PF at 


——  -<~ 


ee eee 


INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS 


“O, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his 
ve Bsalntt 36:1. 

We are assembled to-day in compliance with the order of 
the Supreme Chief Ranger. It is surely our duty, as it is our 


_ privilege, to assemble together as Foresters and give our most 
hearty thanks to our heavenly Father for the great blessings 
_ we have enjoyed and the many mercies he has given us. 


This beautiful Psalm is a continual flow of thanksgiving for 
several specific mercies, such as the deliverance from Og, King 


of Bashan. 


When Israel was marching northward, out of its desert 


- sojourn, there must have been many a quaking heart when the 
_ vast and warlike preparations of the enemies were known. 
- Og was a giant—one of the remnants of a fierce race, who had 


in the past lorded it over a large part of Western Asia. His 


_ kingdom was extensive and rich—full of cities and people, with 


strong natural fortresses. 
But full of faith in God, right up to the frowning walls of 
the great fortress the aged Moses led the army of Israel. 


- He did not wait for Og to come out against him, but marched 


forward to the giant’s capital and by the suddenness and 
determination of his attack made havoc of the city and gained 


_ a glorious victory. The old domination of Bashan was wiped 


out, and the land became the inheritance of the tribe of 
Manasseh. 

In all the memories of Israel’s wonderful history this vic- 
tory held a conspicuous place. The story of Og was told 


% 
318 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES | 
from father to son through all the generations of the national 
life; and history shows that it was introduced into the re- 
ligious service as a subject of their thanksgiving and a lesson” 
for their faith. This was a psalm for public service, to be) 
engaged in by all. The nation felt its ancient victory to be a_ 
present blessing and regarded it as a pledge of God’s future 
Care, ‘ 

I. Let us, brethren, apply the lesson to sarselves and strive 
to profit by their example. As I speak of this great world-- 
wide Order of the Independent Order of Foresters and the 
marvelous blessings God has granted us, we shall see, I am 
sure, cause for thanksgiving and grounds for rejoicing, as well 
as hope for the future. The position the Independent Order 
of Foresters holds to-day is a most remarkable one. As we 
look back to 1881 and see it in its infant and helpless struggle 
for life, and now look at it in its giant manhood and pros- 
perity, is it, I say, not remarkable? What a blessing this has - 
been. How many widows have been helped? How many 
fatherless children have been provided for through this— 
agency? Christian brethren, it is surely some privilege to 
be a co-worker in making provision for the afflicted and needy 
around us. It is one of the grandest objects in which we may — 
be united. Next to the spiritual work of the Church there is 
nothing more noble, more elevating, more unselfish, more in 
keeping with the spirit of the Christian religion than the 
grand work this noble Order is doing. 

II. Test the work of the Order by the commands laid 
down in the inspired Book of God. In Galatians 6: 10 it is 
written: “As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all 
men.” In James 1:27 we read: “Pure religion and undefiled 
before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherless and 
widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from 
the world.’”’ And what does our Lord Jesus Christ teach us 
in the story of the Good Samaritan? Oh! for more of that 
spirit! May God open such hearts and touch and move them 
by his love and grace. Pure love towards humanity can only 
spring from love to God. Only he who loves God with all. 
his heart and soul and strength can for God’s sake love his 
neighbor as himself. Oh! what love and compassion we see 


in the life and work of Jesus Christ. He loved us, he died 


OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 319 


for us. Thank God for every institution which encourages 
and helps on this work, which was, and is, so dear to him. I 
am proud to belong to an Order which is engaged in this 
Christ-like work. Brethren, in every man behold a brother 
and do him all the good you can. I thank God for what has 
been accomplished, and I pray the work may go on and 
prosper. | 

_ The record of this Order is such that its members may be 
proud. Much of the success is due to the master mind of our 
Supreme Chief Ranger, whose genius, worth, and energy have 
placed the Independent Order of Foresters in the foremost 
rank of fraternal institutions. We thank God for this work 
for our race. We thank God for all the Order has done to 
dry the orphan’s tears and soothe the widow’s breast. It has 
comforted broken hearts and brightened human homes. Shall 
we not resolve here and now that, God helping us, we will 
strive to help on every cause whose aim is to benefit society? 
Let us have unwavering faith in and sincere love for Jesus 
Christ, the Saviour of men. As “he went about doing good,” 
so let us follow that bright example. For all the good work 
‘done by our noble Order let God be praised. Let each and 
‘every member help on the good work, and feel it a privilege 
as well as a duty to codperate with the Supreme Chief Ranger 
‘and his officers in advancing the interests of the Order, which 
has done so much good in the world. May God be glorified 
and man blessed. 

This great fraternal society has now been planted in nearly 
every country in the world by the persevering energy of the 
Supreme Chief Ranger, and it has enrolled in its membership 
the leading men of all professions—men capable of examin- 
ing its principles and scrutinizing its workings. In its private 
‘meetings it encourages friendship and brotherly love. It looks 
after the sick and makes provision for the permanently dis- 
abled, whether from sickness or accident, and in old age, when 
man especially needs a helping hand, it comes to his assist- 
ance in the provision it makes him. Thus it works for man 
during his life, as well as making provision for the family 
after his death. For all these benefits give God thanks and 
pray for his continued favors. The spirit of harmony and 
good-will which prevails in the Order is another cause for 


320 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


thanksgiving. But enough has been said, I trust, to call forth 
the thankfulness of our very souls, and from the past we 
gather hope for the future. ‘ 

Remember, brethren, we are here not for excursions and 
worldly pleasure, but to give thanks to Almighty God for his 
mercies. May our conduct be such as not to rob our service 
of all merit. Let our prayers be not from the lips alone, but 
from the heart. And may the constancy of our lives show 
forth the sincerity of our hearts that we may be accepted of 
God, and when this life be over may we each, through the 
mercy of God and the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, re- 
ceive the “‘well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou 
into the joy of thy Lord.” I will say no more. May God 
bless you all and make us each to abound in every good word 
and work to the honor and glory of his holy name, and to 
the well-being to all around us.—Rev. E. Davis, A.M. 


THE SUPREMACY OF LOVE: SERMON TO 
ODD FELLOWS 


Mexts); Lhe greatest of theses’ ove: a Cor iat: 

The ultimate analysis of Christianity, its peculiar crown 
and discriminating royalty, is explained in a single word— 
Love. Love is not only the master passion in man, to which 
all other passions do homage, it is the master passion of God; 
it is also the master principle of the universe. Nations, 
peoples, systems are all distinguished by some predominating 
spirit. The genius of England is practical, that of Germany 
is speculative, that of France is, sensational, that of Italy is 
esthetic, that of India is idealistic, while that of America is 
cosmopolitan. So of religions: théy are separated from each 
other by some marked distinguishing features. Thus the 
genius of Judaism is ceremonial, that of Hindooism is mysti-: 
cal, that of Mohammedanism is fanatical, and that of Chris- 
tianity is expressed by ‘‘Love.” | 

Romance and poetry through all past, ages have never 
wearied in picturing the sorrows and joys or in singing the’ 
glories and triumphs of Love. Its tragedies, its sufferings, | 
and its victories represent all that is greatest in history and 
most ‘thrilling in literature. But in Christian literature Love 





OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 382i 


-is regnant, the most beneficent influence and the mightiest 
force in the world. And in Christianity only is it enthroned 
“and sceptered as monarch ruling by divine right. It is the 
_ pearl of great price; the Jewel of priceless worth. 

b The jewel of society is ‘‘pleasure,” and the casket which 
“holds it is “good form.’ us The Jewel of business is “gold,” 
and its casket is “commerce.” The jewel of science is 
_ “wisdom,” and “mind” is its casket; but the supreme jewel 
of fraternity and Christianity is ‘Love,’ and its casket is 
the “heart.” In the Bible heart is a word that abounds. 
Brain, I believe, is not mentioned in Scripture, but as the 
world goes, “brain counts for a good deal more than heart 
does.”” It will win more applause and earn a larger salary. 
The current demand is for ideas. A cold and unfeeling judg- 
ment, a crude, half barbaric and wholly selfish commercial- 
ism may place a premium upon keenness of intellect and 
_ shrewdness of mind in a materialistic age, but the conclusion 
of all history supports the high vision of Bourdillon in the 
sweetest sonnet ever written: 







TES LIN IEF ASOT RIT MR IT A I ORLA IOS eartee 


‘The night hath a thousand eyes, 

The day but one, 
But the light of the whole world dies 

When the sun is gone. 

] The mind hath a thousand eyes, 

‘ The heart but one, 

{ Yet the light of the whole life dies 

: - When love is done.” 


One of the brightest flower-clusters of Holy Writ is the 
_chapter from which our text is taken. It is the Swan-song 
: of the great Apostle. This golden chapter contains Paul’s 
estimate of the worth of love. In the first three verses he 
| gives a statement of its value by a most “striking contrast 
which seems an exaggeration.” Four things were held in 
-supreme favor in the Christian Church. First, the gift of 
tongues. Paul himself had heard, in heavenly rapture, angelic 
language impossible for him to re-utter, but he places love in 
contrast with that, saying: ‘“Though I speak with the tongues 
of men and of angels and have not love, I am become as 








$22 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.’ Gifted with eloquence 
which melts into muteness even angelic harps and lyres, my 
utterances are but the soulless clanging of cymbal, if “this 
heavenly virtue makes not musical and fragrant all I say.” To 
the Greeks knowledge was the supreme possession—valued 
above jewels. But there were exalted souls in this Corinthian 
church divinely favored with that deeper insight which comes” 
of inspiration. Both are. placed in contrast with love when 
he says: “And though I have the gift of prophecy and under- 
stand all mysteries and all knowledge and have not love, 4 
am nothing.” ‘‘The sage and prophet are nothing, without 
love.” Again, the power to work wonders, a mark of peculiar 
favor, had been bestowed upon some. ‘Though I have all 
faith so that I could remove mountains and have not love, it 
profiteth me nothing.” Finally, the Apostle arrays in imagi 
nation the glorious army of heroes and martyrs of self-sacri- 
fice, and the benefactors and philanthropists of that early 
church, whose liberality was so lavish that it seems an insanity 
to the world, and he puts all this in contrast with love: 
“Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though 
I give my body to be burned, and have not love, I am noth- 
ing.” Behold the character portrayed i in these sublime sen- 
tences—this glorious composite ! 

For the justice and validity of this judgment three boa 
gable reasons are assigned. 

First, he resolves love into its constituent elements. Or, as 
Dratnmond has so happily stated it, he ‘ ‘gives an amazing 
analysis of what this supreme thing is. It is like light. As 
you have seen a man of science take a beam of light and pass 
it through a crystal prism; as you have seen it come out on the 
other side of the prism all broken up into its component colors 
—red, and blue, and yellow, and violet, and orange, and all 
the colors of the rainbow—so Paul passes this thing, Love, 
through the magnificent prism of his inspired intellect, and it 
comes out on the other side broken into its elements. And 
in these few words we have what might be called the spectrum 
of Love.” : 

The spectrum takes the beam of that light, which no one 
can really define, and throws it into seven hues. But the 
spectrum of Love has nine ingredients. They are patience, 









OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 323 


kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good 
temper, guilelessness, sincerity—these make up the supreme 
gift. | 

These great qualities indicate the effect of love upon char- 
acter and conduct. The Apostle, by a few master strokes, 
describes love in the concrete. He presents a character in 
which love is the regnant principle, the dominating passion. 

‘Love suffereth long.” Love is patient, calm, passive. It 
is equal to any strain. It ‘understands and therefore waits.” 

“Tove is kind.” Kindness is love made visible, turned in- 
side out. It speaks only gentle, tender, helpful words and 
does only kindly deeds to weary pilgrims along life’s rugged 
pathway. It is the spirit of the old philosopher who said: “I 
shall not pass this way but once. Any good thing, therefore, 
that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human 
being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, 
for I shall not pass this way again.” Better still, it is the 
sublime thought of ‘‘Him who went about doing good.” 

‘Love envieth not.” It hath no hateful, jealous feeling 
for one who may be doing the same work you are doing, but 
better. Love is generous. 

“Tove vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” It is humble. 
It is careful to ‘think no more highly of itself than it ought 
- to think.” It rejoices in lowliest tasks. 

“Love does not behave itself unseemly.” ‘This is love in 
relation to etiquette. It furnishes and finishes the true gentle- 
man. It communicates grace and dignity to character and win- 
someness to the life. 

“Love is not easily provoked.’ Its temper is always sweet. 
It brings with it the angels of content, peace, and delight. 

‘Love thinketh no evil.” It is pure, and can think purity 
only. But it thinks. Love is ever thoughtful, ever inspired. 
What a man thinks is determined largely by his ruling love. 
Those who are pure in thought and life will not, because they 
cannot, think evil of others. Love is guileless. ‘‘Love re- 
joiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”’ Love, too, 
warms and inspires. Truth instructs and directs. Truth re- 
joices in the quickening influences of love, while love rejoices 
in the illuminating power of truth. Love is always sincere. 
It sees truth in a new light such as “‘never fell on land or sea,” 


324 CYCLOPEDIA OF SERMON OUTLINES 


and it rejoiceth in it evermore. How love quickens human 
wits! How it strengthens human weakness! What burdens — 
it has enabled drooping shoulders to carry! What toils it” 
has enabled human hands to accomplish! What prodigies 
weak women and tender children have performed while they 
were nerved and braced and upheld by the animating inspira- 
tions of love! What power doth it possess to transform the 
life! How it elevates and sublimates the soul! | 

Paul’s second reason is that love is a mark of manhood in © 
Christ. Growth toward love, and into love, had been the law © 
of his own life. ‘When I was a child I spake as a child, I | 
thought as a child, I understood as a child; but when I be- © 
came a man | put away childish things.’ Love, indeed, is the | 
great end towards which all creation is tending. The discovery © 
of that thought has been of inconceivable comfort to me, for ~ 
I have seen the human race, beginning in the lowest state of — 
animalism, grasping, cruel—the shark, the leopard, and the 
lion regnant, as though destructiveness was the original crea- — 
tive design. Out of it I have seen emerging, little by little, | 
other qualities—love of cubs and whelps, then I have seen | 
the animal creation reach to the level of the human family, © 
and that family, under some mystic influence which we cannot — 
call nature at every step, steadily unfolding toward intelli- © 
gence, toward refinement, toward imagination, toward sym- — 
pathy, toward love, and in love evermore, sphere by sphere. © 
The law of unfolding sets the whole creation upon a march 
from the lower form of organized matter up through every | 
variation of organization, through every form of passion, | 
seeking the highest, holiest thing in the universe—the star 
around which the whole creation is revolving. The name of © 
that star is Love. : q 

But Paul’s chief reason for extolling love as the great pas- © 
sion of life is that “love never dies.”” To emphasize his great | 
thought the Apostle enumerates these great things in the cata- _ 
logue of imperishables in the estimation of his day. The 
greatest thinkers of his age believed that prophecies would © 
endure whatever else might fail. ‘But,’ said he, ‘“‘whether © 
there be prophecies, they shall fail.’ This book is full of — 
prophecies. One by one they have been fulfilled, and so failed © 
—their work is finished. “Whether there be tongues, they — 





OUTLINES OF SERMONS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS 325 


shall cease.”’ The Hebrew tongue in which he spoke has 
passed away. The Greek tongue, so mellifluous and facile, is 


spoken by the few only, and is passing away. The Latin is 











obsolete. ‘The Indian language perished long ago. 
‘‘And whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” 
What has become of the wisdom of the ancient Egyptians, the 


knowledge of the old Greeks? It has all vanished away. 
‘Now we know in part.’ ‘We see through a glass darkly.” 
All that we see of commerce and government and institutions 
is passing away. ‘Ihe fashion of this world passeth away.” 


Love survives by might supernal and by right eternal, for 
“God is love.” 


I felicitate myself that I am speaking to-day to representa- 


tives of a great fraternal order, whose beneficent sway is 
world-wide, which is bound together by a golden chain with 
three jeweled links—Friendship, Love, and Truth. What a 
glorious trinity of principles! I am sure that it is not by 


accident that you place Love at the center of the motto. 


‘Securely there it holds friends together in truth. It would 
refuse to hold friends together in falsehood. ‘The temper of 
every link in your charmed chain is practical. It will stand 
the test of use. Yours is not ideal only, but embodied friend- 
ship; not visionary, but real truth; not abstract, but incarnate 
_love—love that transforms sorrow into joy, pain into pleasure, 
‘loss into gain. Yours is a love that makes a paradise of a 
wilderness, and a feast in the house of poverty. Its highest 
delight is in giving pleasure to those beloved. During the last 
seventy years it relieved 250,000 widows by an expenditure of 
-over $91,000,000. It realizes most gloriously the sublime 
stanza of Schiller: 


“FTave love—not love alone for one, 
But man as man thy brother call, 
And scatter like the circling sun, 
Thy charities on all.” 


_ May each new day, fraught with deeds af ibe like those 
which passed between David and Jonathan, knitting their souls 
together in a true friendship, beam upon your glorious Order, 


as upon the pathway of the just, which “shineth more and 


‘more unto the perfect day.”—Rev. H. O. Breepen, D.D. 








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